A traditional Easter treat, these Hot Cross Buns are slightly sweet, light and fluffy, and lightly spiced with cinnamon. You’ll want to make these buns an Easter tradition at your house!
Course Bread
Cuisine British
Prep Time 15 minutesminutes
Cook Time 20 minutesminutes
Raising Time 1 hourhour50 minutesminutes
Total Time 2 hourshours25 minutesminutes
Servings 12buns
Calories 211kcal
Author Deborah Harroun
Ingredients
3/4cupwarm water
1tablespoonactive dry yeast
1/4cupsugar
3tablespoonsunsalted buttersoftened
1tablespoonpowdered milk
1/2teaspoonsalt
1wholeegg
1egg white (save the yolk for later)
3cupsall-purpose flour
1teaspooncinnamon
3/4cupraisins
1egg yolk
2tablespoonswater
1/2cuppowdered sugar
2teaspoonsmilk
1/4teaspoonvanilla
Instructions
In a small bowl (I like to use my liquid measuring cup) combine the warm water and the yeast. Let it sit until the yeast starts to bloom, 10-15 minutes.
3/4 cup warm water, 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
In the bowl of a stand mixer, combine the sugar, butter, powdered milk and salt. Using the paddle attachment, mix to combine. Add in the whole egg plus the egg white. Mix until combined, then mix in the water and yeast mixture.
1/4 cup sugar, 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, 1 tablespoon powdered milk, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 whole egg, 1 egg white (save the yolk for later)
Add the flour and the cinnamon to the bowl of the stand mixer and mix until combined. Switch to the dough hook and mix for 5 minutes. In the last minute, add the raisins.
3 cups all-purpose flour, 1 teaspoon cinnamon, 3/4 cup raisins
Cover the dough and let the rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
After 1 hour, punch down the dough and let it rest for an addition 10 minutes.
Spray a 9x13-inch baking dish with nonstick cooking spray.
Remove the dough from the bowl and separate into 12 equal pieces. Shape into rolls and place in the prepared baking dish. Cover and let rise again until doubled, 35-40 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 350ºF.
In a small bowl, combine the egg yolk with the 2 tablespoons of water and whisk lightly to combine. Brush the tops of the rolls with the egg mixture.
1 egg yolk, 2 tablespoons water
Bake the rolls in the preheated oven until browned and cooked through, about 15-20 minutes. Remove the rolls from the oven and let cool completely.
In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar, milk and vanilla.
1/2 cup powdered sugar, 2 teaspoons milk, 1/4 teaspoon vanilla
Drizzle a cross on the top of each of the rolls. I like to place the icing in a ziplock bag and cut off the corner.
Notes
Nutrition information provided as an estimate only. Various brands and products can change the counts. Any nutritional information should only be used as a general guideline.