Hot Cross Buns
Hot Cross Buns are a traditional British treat reserved for Good Friday. They are lightly spiced yeasted sweet bun. Hot Cross Buns are studded with currants or raisins, and marked top with a cross that's either etched into the dough, or piped in icing.
Ingredients
Hot Cross Bun Dough
- 1 large egg beaten, plus enough water to equal 7 ounces (½ cup plus 2 Tablespoons to ¾ cup )
- ¼ cup (2 ounces) whole milk
- ¼ cup (1.75 ounces) granulated sugar
- 4 Tablespoons (½ stick, 2 ounces) unsalted butter room temperature
- 1 ½ teaspoons Kosher salt
- 3 cups (15 ounces) bread flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoons ground nutmeg
- 1 Tablespoon instant yeast
- ¾ cup (3 ounces) currants*
Cross
- ⅓ cup (1.67 ounces) all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup water
Egg Wash
- 1 Tablespoon water
- 1 egg
Instructions
- Combine all dough ingredients except for currants in pan of bread pan in the order listed. Set select dough cycle.
- Once dough has come together add currants.
- Transfer dough from bread machine at completion of dough cycle to a floured surface. Divide dough into 16 pieces ( ounces each). Form into ball; place on parchment of silicon lined baking sheet, leaving space between balls to allow for rising. (I put 8 per baking sheet.)
- Preheat oven to 350° F.
- Allow to rise for 20 minutes in a warm location.** Pipe cross on buns. Allow buns to rise additional 60 to 90 minutes, or until doubled in size from original ball.
- Bake in 350° F preheated oven for 10 minutes. Remove from oven and brush with egg wash made with 1 egg and 1 tablespoon of water. Return to oven and cook for additional 10 minutes.
Cross
- Combine flour and water in a small bowl until mixture is thick enough to hold its shape but thin enough to pipe. Transfer mixture to a piping bag fitted with #5 round tip. Set aside.
Tips/Notes
*Can use raisins in place of the currants.
**I always turn my electric oven on for exactly 1 minute and 45 seconds to create the perfect environment for bread and rolls to rise. I learned this trick from Julia Child!
Note: For more traditional Hot Cross Buns, omit the egg wash, and brush with a simple syrup when removed from oven. To make a simple syrup, combine 2 tablespoons of water and 2 tablespoons of granulated sugar in a small saucepan. Heat over medium heat until the sugar has dissolved.
Nutrition
Calories: 170kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 5gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 68mgSodium: 258mgPotassium: 76mgFiber: 0gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 200IUVitamin C: 10.1mgCalcium: 23mgIron: 0.7mg
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