Hot cross buns are a delicious, soft, and fragrant treat, traditionally enjoyed during Easter. The combination of spices, dried fruit, and the iconic cross on top makes them a popular favorite. Here’s how to make perfect hot cross buns from scratch.
Ingredients:
For the buns:
- 500g (4 cups) strong white bread flour
- 75g (1/3 cup) caster sugar
- 10g (2 tsp) salt
- 10g (2 tsp) ground mixed spice or cinnamon
- 10g (2 tsp) ground ginger
- 10g (1 tbsp) instant yeast
- 300ml (1 1/4 cups) full-fat milk, lukewarm
- 50g (3 1/2 tbsp) unsalted butter, softened
- 2 large eggs
- 300g (2 cups) mixed dried fruit (e.g., sultanas, currants, or raisins)
- Zest of 1 lemon
- 50g (1/4 cup) plain flour (for the cross)
- 100g (1/2 cup) apricot jam (for glazing)
Optional:
- 1 tbsp of water (for the cross paste)
- 1 tbsp of honey (for a sweeter finish in the glaze)
Instructions:
1. Prepare the dough
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the bread flour, sugar, salt, mixed spice (or cinnamon), and ground ginger. Stir until well combined.
- Add the yeast to one side of the bowl, and salt to the other side to prevent the salt from directly touching the yeast, which can inhibit the rise.
- Create a well in the center of the dry ingredients and add the lukewarm milk, butter, and eggs.
- Use a wooden spoon or your hands to bring the mixture together into a sticky dough.
2. Knead the dough
- Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead it for about 8-10 minutes. The dough should become smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky but not overly sticky.
- After kneading, incorporate the dried fruit and lemon zest into the dough. Knead again until evenly distributed.
3. First rise
- Grease a large bowl with a little oil and place the dough inside. Cover the bowl with a damp tea towel or cling film.
- Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free place for 1–1.5 hours or until it has doubled in size.
4. Shape the buns
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down gently to release the air. Transfer the dough to a floured surface and divide it into 12 even pieces.
- Roll each piece into a ball and place them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Arrange them close together, allowing just a small gap between each bun to encourage them to rise upwards.
- Cover the tray with a tea towel and let the buns prove for another hour or until they are puffed up and touching.
5. Make the cross paste
- While the buns are proving, make the cross paste. Mix the plain flour with water (start with 1 tablespoon of water and adjust if necessary) to form a thick paste.
- Transfer this paste into a piping bag or a plastic sandwich bag with the tip snipped off.
- Once the buns have proved, pipe a cross over each bun, going vertically and horizontally.
6. Bake the buns
- Preheat your oven to 220°C (200°C fan)/425°F (gas mark 7).
- Bake the buns in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown on top.
- While the buns are baking, make the glaze. Heat the apricot jam in a small saucepan until melted, adding a tablespoon of honey if you like a sweeter glaze.
7. Glaze the buns
- As soon as the buns come out of the oven, brush them with the warm apricot glaze to give them a beautiful shiny finish.
- Let the buns cool on a wire rack for a few minutes before serving.
Tips for Perfect Hot Cross Buns:
- Temperature of the milk: Make sure the milk is warm (about 110°F or 43°C). If it’s too hot, it can kill the yeast, and if it’s too cold, the dough won’t rise properly.
- Rising time: If your kitchen is cool, it may take longer for the dough to rise. Don’t rush this process; it’s essential for light, fluffy buns.
- Overnight method: You can prepare the dough the night before. After the first rise, cover the dough and refrigerate it overnight. In the morning, shape, prove, and bake.
- Fruit variety: Use any dried fruit of your choice, such as raisins, currants, or chopped dried apricots. You can even add candied peel for extra flavor.
- Flour for the cross: If you don’t have plain flour for the cross paste, you can use bread flour.
Enjoying Your Hot Cross Buns
Hot cross buns are best served warm, but they can also be toasted for a crispy finish. Spread butter, jam, or your favorite spread on them, or enjoy them as they are for a soft, fragrant treat. Perfect with a cup of tea, they are the ultimate comfort food.
Making your own hot cross buns is not just about tradition; it’s also about creating something special to enjoy with family and friends. By following these steps, you’ll create buns that are soft, fluffy, and perfectly spiced, with that iconic cross on top. Enjoy!