Hot Cross Buns | Easy to Follow Recipe

all-purpose flour

🥗Healthier: whole wheat flour

💰Cheaper: bread flour

Whole wheat flour adds fiber and nutrients.

mixed dried fruit

🥗Healthier: fresh fruit

💰Cheaper: raisins

Fresh fruit can be lower in sugar and cost.

butter

🥗Healthier: coconut oil

💰Cheaper: margarine

Coconut oil provides a dairy-free option.

sugar

🥗Healthier: honey

💰Cheaper: brown sugar

Honey is a natural sweetener with unique flavors.

Soak mixed dried fruit in a little warm water.

Warm some milk and set aside a quarter cup to bloom the yeast.

Add butter to the rest of the warm milk and set aside.

In a mixing bowl, add salt, sugar, spices, and freshly grated lemon zest to the flour and whisk well to combine.

Add the yeast mixture, butter and milk mixture, and one egg to the dry ingredients and stir to combine.

Use hands to bring the dough together, pushing it onto itself until the bowl is fairly clean.

Knead the dough on a work surface until it can be pulled without breaking, then cover and let it rest for about 10 minutes.

Strain the soaked fruit and add any additional fruit if using.

Roll out the dough, spread some fruit on the surface, press it in, and fold the dough in thirds like a letter, then roll it up to incorporate the fruit.

Place the dough ball into a buttered dish to proof for about 1.5 to 2 hours.

Punch down the dough to release some air and roll it into a cylindrical shape.

Cut the dough into 12 even portions and flatten each portion slightly.

Tuck the outer corners of each portion into the middle to form a dough ball, then flip it over and roll it into a round shape.

To make in advance, place the formed dough balls in a buttered dish, cover with oiled cling film, and refrigerate overnight.

The next day, take them out of the fridge and let them warm up for about half an hour before baking.

If making the same day, allow the dough balls to proof for about an hour before baking.

Brush the tops of the buns with egg wash before baking.

Prepare icing sugar while the buns bake.

Once the buns are out of the oven, brush them with sugar syrup, orange jam, or honey.

Make crosses from icing sugar and milk, then pipe them on top of the buns.

Cooking Techniques

Equipment Needed

Spice Level:

Dietary

Allergens