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Hot cross buns inside of a bread basket for Easter Brunch.
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5 from 1 vote

Hot Cross Buns

These Hot Cross Buns are soft, perfectly spiced, and rich with meaning making them my favorite Easter bake! Made with warm spices, candied citrus, and sweet currants, they’re as symbolic as they are delicious.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Resting Time4 hours
Total Time4 hours 30 minutes
Course: Baking, Brunch
Cuisine: English
Servings: 18 Buns
Calories: 195kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons candied lemon and orange peel
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour divided, (480g)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
  • teaspoon ground allspice

HEAT

  • 1 cup whole milk (236ml)
  • ½ cup granulated sugar (100g)

OFF HEAT, ADD

  • 1 stick unsalted butter cubed, (8 TBSP),(113g)
  • 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
  • 2 eggs beaten
  • ¾ cup dried currants plumped, and patted dry

FOR THE GLAZE, WHISK

  • cups powdered sugar, sifted (120g)
  • 1 tablespoon whole milk
  • 1 tablespoon fresh lemon juice

Instructions

  • Coat a large bowl with non-stick spray and set aside.
  • In a food processor, combine ¼ cup of the flour with the candied lemon and orange peel. Pulse until finely minced. Transfer the mixture to a large bowl, then stir in the remaining 3¾ cups of flour, along with the salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.
  • Heat milk and sugar in a saucepan over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Off the heat, add butter and stir until melted. When the mixture is between 110-115°F (43-46°C), whisk in yeast and let stand for 5-10 minutes, or until bubbly. Transfer to the bowl of a stand mixer.
  • Add beaten eggs and flour to the yeast mixture and knead with the dough hook attachment on medium-low speed. Add currants and knead until incorporated.
  • Transfer the dough onto a floured surface and knead the dough until smooth. Shape into a ball and place in the prepared bowl. Cover and let dough rise in a warm place until it has doubled in size, about 2 hours.
  • Punch down dough and cut into 18 equal pieces, about 2½ ounces (70g) each. Shape dough into buns and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Spray buns with non-stick spray and lightly cover with plastic wrap . Let buns rest until doubled in size, about 2 hours.
  • Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Whisk together 1 egg and 1 tablespoon of milk. Brush the buns with the egg wash, then bake until golden brown, about 20 minutes.

Lemon Glaze

  • Whisk together powdered sugar, 1 Tbsp. milk and lemon juice; transfer to a piping bag, Pipe a cross over top of each cooled bun.

Notes

  • Citrus Zest - If you don't have the time to make candied citrus, use the zest of 1 lemon and 1 orange.
  • Yeast - Make sure the milk and sugar mixture cools down to 115°F (46°C) so you don't kill the yeast.
  • Currants - Plump dried fruit in a bowl of hot water for a few minutes.
  • Baking - Use a digital thermometer to check buns for doneness; they are done when the internal temperature reaches 190°F (87°C).
  • Lemon Glaze - Make sure the hot cross buns are completely cool before piping the crosses.

Nutrition

Calories: 195kcal | Carbohydrates: 43g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 0.4g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 0.5g | Monounsaturated Fat: 0.2g | Trans Fat: 0.003g | Cholesterol: 2mg | Sodium: 139mg | Potassium: 107mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 20g | Vitamin A: 30IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 37mg | Iron: 2mg