For a richer flavor, consider using brown butter instead of regular softened butter. If you don't have orange marmalade, you can substitute with other fruit preserves like apricot or fig. To enhance the spices, lightly toast them in a dry pan before adding them to the dough. For a vegan version, substitute the butter with a plant-based butter alternative and the eggs with a flax egg (1 tablespoon ground flaxseed mixed with 3 tablespoons water per egg). The dough can be made a day ahead. After the first rise, punch it down and refrigerate it overnight. Let it come to room temperature before shaping and baking.
Easter Hot Cross Buns
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PREP TIME40 mins
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COOK TIME12 mins
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TOTAL TIME3 hrs 52 mins
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SERVING16 People
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VIEWS30
Embark on a culinary journey with these classic Easter Hot Cross Buns! A symphony of warm spices and sweet dried fruit nestled in a soft, enriched dough, crowned with a delicate cross of icing. These buns are a delightful treat to share with loved ones during the Easter season, evoking the warmth of tradition with every bite.
Ingridients
Adjust Servings
Nutrition
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Carbohydrate33 g
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Cholesterol32 mg
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Fiber1 g
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Protein5 g
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Saturated Fat2 g
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Sodium186 mg
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Sugar12 g
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Fat4 g
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Unsaturated Fat0 g
Follow The Directions
01
Step
5 mins
Bloom the Yeast (5 minutes): In a small bowl, combine 1/4 cup of the lukewarm milk, yeast, and 1 teaspoon of sugar. Let stand until foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
02
Step
2 mins
Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together 3 cups of flour, 1/4 cup of sugar, salt, cinnamon, allspice, cloves, and nutmeg.
03
Step
5 mins
Incorporate Wet Ingredients: Add the yeast mixture, 1/2 cup of milk, softened butter, and eggs to the dry ingredients. Stir with a wooden spoon until well combined. Fold in the chopped raisins and orange marmalade. The dough will be quite sticky at this stage.
04
Step
10 mins
Knead the Dough (10 minutes): Lightly flour a work surface with the remaining 1/4 cup of flour. Turn the dough out and knead, incorporating additional flour as needed, until the dough is tacky but no longer sticks to your fingers. Form the dough into a smooth ball.
05
Step
2 hrs
First Rise (2 hours): Place the dough in a large, lightly oiled bowl, turning to coat. Cover with a clean towel and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size.
06
Step
15 mins
Shape the Buns (15 minutes): Gently deflate the risen dough. Divide it into 16 equal portions and shape each into a round bun. Arrange the buns about 1 1/2 inches apart on lightly greased baking sheets.
07
Step
40 mins
Second Rise (40 minutes): Cover the shaped buns with a light cloth and allow them to rise again until doubled in volume.
08
Step
10 mins
Preheat Oven (10 minutes): Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F (200 degrees C).
09
Step
2 mins
Prepare Egg Wash: In a small bowl, whisk together the egg white and 1 tablespoon of milk.
10
Step
5 mins
Score and Brush (5 minutes): Use a sharp knife to score a deep cross on the top of each bun. Brush the buns generously with the egg wash to promote browning.
11
Step
12 mins
Bake (12 minutes): Bake in the preheated oven until the buns are golden brown.
12
Step
15 mins
Cool (15 minutes): Transfer the baked buns to a wire rack to cool completely.
13
Step
3 mins
Prepare Icing: In a small plastic sandwich bag, combine the confectioners' sugar and 1 1/2 teaspoons of milk. Knead until smooth.
14
Step
5 mins
Decorate: Snip off a tiny corner of the bag and pipe a cross into the scored lines on each cooled bun.
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RECIPE REVIEWS
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Please Rate
Ralph Franecki
Jun 13, 2025These hot cross buns are now a family tradition. Everyone looks forward to them every Easter!
Liliana Tromp
May 15, 2025These buns were absolutely delicious! The perfect blend of spices and sweetness. My family devoured them in minutes!
Luis Gulgowski
May 11, 2025The dough was a little sticky, but I added a bit more flour as suggested, and it worked out great. Will definitely make these again!
Matteo Nicolas
Mar 11, 2025The recipe was easy to follow, and the buns turned out beautifully. The tip about using brown butter was a game-changer!
Janiya Stamm
Mar 6, 2025I tried making these vegan, and they were a huge success! The flax egg worked perfectly. Thank you for the adaptable recipe!