Description
Hot Crossed Buns are a classic Easter treat, featuring spiced sweet rolls studded with dried fruit and marked with a symbolic cross on top. These soft and fragrant buns are perfect for celebrating the holiday season or enjoying as a special homemade treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Dough:
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 packet (2 1/4 tsp) active dry yeast
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 1/4 cups warm milk (about 110°F)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 large egg
- 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1/2 cup currants or raisins
- 1/4 cup mixed peel (optional)
Crosses:
- 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup water
Glaze:
- 1/4 cup apricot jam
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 3 1/2 cups flour, sugar, yeast, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Stir in the warm milk, softened butter, and egg until a sticky dough forms.
- Knead on a lightly floured surface, gradually adding the remaining 1/2 cup flour as needed, for about 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- Mix in currants and mixed peel evenly.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Punch down the dough and divide into 12 equal pieces.
- Shape each into a ball and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet about 1 inch apart.
- Cover and let rise again for 30–45 minutes.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- For the crosses, mix 1/4 cup flour with 1/4 cup water into a thick paste.
- Pipe a cross on top of each bun using a piping bag or zip-top bag with a small cut corner.
- Bake for 18–22 minutes until golden brown.
- Warm the apricot jam and brush over the buns while still hot to glaze.
- Cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- You can substitute raisins for currants or leave out the mixed peel if preferred.
- These are best enjoyed fresh but can be reheated lightly the next day.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bun
- Calories: 230
- Sugar: 10g
- Sodium: 150mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 40g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 25mg
