Dee's Hot Cross Buns

Bring the warmth of tradition to your kitchen with Dee's Hot Cross Buns, a delightfully spiced and tender treat perfect for Easter or any special occasion. These fluffy buns are infused with aromatic ground cinnamon and nutmeg, studded with sweet currants or raisins, and crowned with the signature cross made from a simple flour paste. A glossy apricot jam glaze gives them their irresistible bakery-style finish. With an easy-to-follow process, including tips for kneading and rising, you'll achieve bakery-quality results in the comfort of your home. Serve these buns fresh out of the oven, either plain or slathered with butter, for a sweet, spiced bite that’s guaranteed to impress. Ideal for festive gatherings or indulgent breakfasts, these homemade Hot Cross Buns will be a new family favorite.

Nutriscore Rating: 65/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:25 mins

Total Time:55 mins

Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 500 grams All-purpose flour
• 50 grams Granulated sugar
• 10 grams Active dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
• 0.5 teaspoon Ground nutmeg
• 250 milliliters Whole milk
• 50 grams Unsalted butter
• 2 Large eggs, lightly beaten
• 100 grams Currants or raisins
• 50 grams All-purpose flour (for the cross)
• 50 milliliters Water (for the cross)
• 3 tablespoons Apricot jam (for glaze)

Directions

Step 1

Warm the milk slightly until it’s lukewarm (about 38°C/100°F) and add the yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy.

Step 2

In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.

Step 3

Melt the butter and add it to the yeast mixture. Stir in the beaten eggs.

Step 4

Gradually add the wet mixture to the dry ingredients, mixing until a soft, sticky dough forms.

Step 5

Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 8-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Alternatively, use a stand mixer with a dough hook for 5 minutes on medium speed.

Step 6

Gently knead in the currants or raisins until evenly distributed.

Step 7

Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-1.5 hours or until doubled in size.

Step 8

Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 12 equal portions. Shape each portion into a ball and place them on a greased or parchment-lined baking sheet, leaving a little space between each bun.

Step 9

Cover the buns with a kitchen towel and let them rise again for 30-40 minutes until they are puffy and almost doubled in size.

Step 10

Preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F).

Step 11

For the cross, mix the 50g flour with 50ml water to form a thick paste. Transfer the paste to a piping bag and pipe a cross onto each bun.

Step 12

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

Step 13

While the buns are baking, heat the apricot jam in a small saucepan until melted. Strain if needed to remove any lumps.

Step 14

As soon as the buns come out of the oven, brush the tops with the warm apricot jam to give them a shiny finish.

Step 15

Allow the buns to cool slightly before serving. They are best enjoyed warm, with butter if desired.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1223.3g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3292.2

Total Fat 67.6g	0%
Saturated Fat 33.8g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.3g
Cholesterol 511.7mg	0%
Sodium 2641.9mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 592.5g	0%
Dietary Fiber 25.4g	0%
Total Sugars 154.3g
Protein 85.7g	0%

Vitamin D 193.4IU	0%
Calcium 574.8mg	0%
Iron 31.2mg	0%
Potassium 2302.8mg	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: 18.3%

Protein: 10.3%

Carbs: 71.4%