Alison Holst's Hot Cross Buns

Bring the warmth and tradition of Easter straight to your kitchen with Alison Holst's Hot Cross Buns, a timeless recipe that's irresistibly soft, spiced, and packed with flavor. These homemade buns combine light, fluffy dough with the aromatic allure of cinnamon, mixed spice, and a hint of orange zest, perfectly complemented by juicy raisins or sultanas. Finished with iconic piped crosses and a glossy apricot glaze, these buns are not only a treat for your taste buds but also a feast for the eyes. With straightforward steps and ingredients, these classic Hot Cross Buns are perfect for a holiday tradition or a cozy weekend bake. Whether served warm or toasted with a generous slather of butter, they promise to be the highlight of your family table!

Nutriscore Rating: 52/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 500 g All-purpose flour
• 50 g Sugar
• 1 tsp Salt
• 2 tsp Ground cinnamon
• 1 tsp Mixed spice
• 2 tsp Instant yeast
• 250 ml Warm milk
• 50 g Unsalted butter, melted
• 1 large Egg
• 100 g Raisins or sultanas
• 1 tbsp Finely grated orange zest
• 50 g Flour (for the cross)
• 3 tbsp Water (for the cross)
• 2 tbsp Apricot jam (for glaze)
• 1 tbsp Water (for glaze)

Directions

Step 1

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt, cinnamon, mixed spice, and instant yeast.

Step 2

In a separate bowl, mix the warm milk, melted butter, and egg until well combined.

Step 3

Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until a soft dough forms.

Step 4

Add the raisins (or sultanas) and orange zest to the dough, and knead on a lightly floured surface for 8-10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.

Step 5

Place the dough into an oiled bowl, cover with a clean tea towel, and leave in a warm place to rise for 1-2 hours, or until doubled in size.

Step 6

Punch down the dough and divide it into 12 equal portions. Shape each portion into a ball and place them on a lined baking tray, close together but not touching.

Step 7

Cover the tray with a tea towel and allow the buns to rise again for about 30-40 minutes, or until they have puffed up and are just touching each other.

Step 8

Preheat the oven to 200°C (390°F).

Step 9

To make the cross mixture, combine the 50g of flour with 3 tablespoons of water to form a thick paste. Transfer the paste to a piping bag and pipe crosses over the buns.

Step 10

Bake the buns in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.

Step 11

While the buns are baking, prepare the glaze by heating the apricot jam and 1 tablespoon of water in a small saucepan until smooth and slightly runny.

Step 12

As soon as the buns come out of the oven, brush them generously with the apricot glaze for a shiny finish.

Step 13

Allow the buns to cool slightly on a wire rack before serving. Enjoy fresh or toasted with butter!

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(678.6g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	1383.5

Total Fat 55.4g	0%
Saturated Fat 31.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 2.0g
Cholesterol 349.8mg	0%
Sodium 2609.4mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 208.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 10.2g	0%
Total Sugars 138.1g
Protein 26.8g	0%

Vitamin D 157.3IU	0%
Calcium 483.1mg	0%
Iron 4.6mg	0%
Potassium 1427.2mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 34.6%

Protein: 7.4%

Carbs: 58.0%