Print

Hot Cross Buns

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star

No reviews

Soft, spiced hot cross buns with dried fruit and a classic cross on top. A traditional British hot cross buns recipe for Easter!

Ingredients

Scale

Dough:

256 grams all purpose flour (2 cups)
30 grams granulated sugar (2 tablespoons)
7 grams instant yeast (2 teaspoons)
1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
120 milliliters whole milk (1/2 cup)
1 large egg, at room temperature
60 grams unsalted butter (4 tablespoons), cubed and softened
25 grams mixed peel (2 tablespoons)
20 grams currants (2 tablespoons)

Crossing Mixture:

 85 grams all purpose flour (2/3 cup)
60 milliliters water (1/4 cup), plus more to adjust consistency

Bun Wash: 

60 milliliters water (1/4 cup)
65 grams granulated sugar (1/3 cup)
3/4 teaspoon mixed spice (store-bought or homemade)

Instructions

Line a half-sheet rimmed baking tray with parchment. Set aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with dough hook attachment, whisk together flour, sugar, yeast, and salt.

Dry ingredients in a stand mixer bowl with a whisk

Add the milk and egg and mix on medium-high speed for 3-4 minutes. Gradually add the butter and continue mixing for 4-5 minutes more, or until smooth and elastic.

Dough mixing in a stand mixer

Adding butter to hot cross buns dough

Add the mixed peel and currants and mix briefly to combine. Dough will feel soft and sticky.

Mixing currants and mixed peel into hot cross bun dough

Hot cross buns dough in a mixing bowl

Transfer to a clean, well-oiled bowl. Cover bowl with clingfilm/plastic wrap and allow to stand in a warm place for about 1 1/2 hours, or until dough doubles in size.

Bun dough in a bowl covered with plastic wrap

Hot cross bun dough in a bowl covered with clingfilm

Punch dough down. With a kitchen scale, weigh into portions, about 45-50 grams each. You should have about 12 portions total

Hot cross bun dough in a bowl with a bench scraper

Bun dough on a kitchen scale

Scaled hot cross bun dough

With floured hands, roll into balls and arrange on prepared tray, allowing 2-3 inches of space between each portion.

Balls of bun dough arranged on a tray

Cover tray with clingfilm/plastic wrap and allow to stand in a warm place, about 1 hour or until buns double in size.

Balls of bun dough arranged on a tray covered with clingfilm

Hot cross bun dough after rising

Meanwhile, preheat oven to 375° F / 190° C.

Whisk together flour and water in a small bowl. Scoop into a disposable piping bag.

Crossing mixture in a small bowl with a whisk

Pipe crossing mixture in an X shape across the top of each bun.

Crossed hot cross buns on a tray before baking

Bake in preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until deeply golden brown.

Hot cross buns on a tray

Add the water, granulated sugar, and mixed spice to a small saucepan. Simmer over low heat until sugar dissolves.

Spiced bun wash in a pan with a pastry brush

With a pastry brush, brush over buns while still warm.

Brushing a bun with bun wash

Hot cross buns on a tray

Serve immediately.

Hot cross buns

 

 

 

Equipment