Spiced Hot Cross Buns with Vanilla Almond Icing
These delightful Spiced Hot Cross Buns are a perfect addition to your brunch or any festive gathering. Enhanced with a medley of spices including cinnamon, allspice, and optional cloves, these buns are subtly sweet with a tender crumb and a pleasant flavor. The characteristic cross on top, made with a smooth vanilla almond icing, adds an inviting touch, making them visually appealing and a delight for the taste buds. Carefully crafted in your bread machine, these buns are easy to make, and the optional citrus zests will brighten the flavor even further. Ideal for sharing with friends and family, they can be enjoyed warm right out of the oven or toasted for a perfect breakfast treat.
N/A
Servings
200
Calories
18
Ingredients
Ingredients
lukewarm water
3/4 cup (heated to 110°F)
nonfat dry milk powder
1 tablespoon (none)
unsalted butter
3 tablespoons (cut into small pieces)
large eggs
2 (separated, divided)
vanilla extract
1 teaspoon (none)
almond extract
1 teaspoon (none)
salt
3/8 teaspoon (none)
granulated sugar
1/4 cup (none)
ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon (none)
ground allspice
1/2 teaspoon (none)
ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon (optional)
lemon zest
1-2 teaspoons (optional)
orange zest
1-2 teaspoons (optional)
sultanas or raisins
3/4 cup (none)
bread flour or all-purpose flour
3 cups (approximately)
active dry yeast
1 tablespoon (none)
water
2 tablespoons (none)
white icing
1/4-1/2 cup (to decorate tops)
Instructions
1
Note: Depending on your bread machine, you might need to adjust the order of adding ingredients. This recipe assumes that you add wet ingredients first. Follow your machine's manual if needed.
2
Begin by pouring the lukewarm water into the bread machine pan, followed by the nonfat dry milk powder. Add the unsalted butter, both egg whites, and one egg yolk along with vanilla and almond extracts.
3
Sprinkle in the salt, granulated sugar, ground cinnamon, ground allspice, optional cloves, lemon zest, orange zest, and sultanas or raisins.
4
Next, carefully measure out 3 cups of flour and add it to the pan, making a small well in the center to hold the active dry yeast.
5
Select the dough cycle on your bread machine to start the mixing and kneading process.
6
After about 5 minutes, check the dough consistency; if it's too sticky, add more flour (1 Tbsp at a time) or if too dry, add more water (1 Tbsp at a time) until you achieve a soft, elastic dough.
7
Once the dough cycle is complete, transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and gently punch it down to release gases. Cover with a damp cloth and let it rest for 10 minutes.
8
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and prepare a greased 9x13-inch baking pan.
9
Divide the dough into 12 equal portions and roll each portion into a ball. Arrange the balls in the prepared pan, allowing them to touch slightly during rising. Cover and let them rise in a warm area until doubled in size, approximately 45 minutes to 1 hour.
10
After the buns have risen, uncover them and prepare an egg wash by mixing the remaining egg yolk with 2 tablespoons of water. Brush this mixture over the tops of the dough balls.
11
Bake the buns in the preheated oven for 20 minutes, or until golden brown. Once baked, remove from the pan immediately and allow to cool on wire racks.
12
Once completely cooled, pipe the white icing over the buns in the shape of crosses. For a warm treat, skip the icing until serving, then gently reheat the buns before serving and add icing on an individual basis.
Nutrition Information
3.3g
Fat
33.3g
Carbs
4g
Protein
1g
Fiber
5g
Sugar
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Spiced Hot Cross Buns?
They are a festive yeast bread flavored with spices and fruit, traditionally topped with a cross and served during brunch or festive gatherings.
Can I use a bread machine for this recipe?
Yes, this recipe is specifically designed to use a bread machine for the mixing and kneading dough cycle.
How many buns does this recipe yield?
This recipe makes 12 equal-sized portions or buns.
What spices are used in the dough?
The dough is flavored with ground cinnamon, ground allspice, and optional ground cloves for a warm, spiced flavor.
Can I use raisins instead of sultanas?
Yes, you can use either 3/4 cup of sultanas or raisins depending on your preference.
What is the recommended oven temperature?
The oven should be preheated to 375 degrees Fahrenheit (190 degrees Celsius) before baking.
How long do the buns need to bake?
Bake the buns for approximately 20 minutes, or until they reach a golden brown color.
Why do I need to check the dough consistency during the cycle?
You should check after 5 minutes to ensure the dough is soft and elastic; add flour if it is too sticky or water if it is too dry.
What is the purpose of the egg wash?
Brushing the tops with a mixture of egg yolk and water gives the buns a beautiful golden shine after they are baked.
When should I apply the vanilla almond icing?
The icing should be piped on once the buns have completely cooled to ensure it stays in the shape of a cross.
What type of flour is best for these buns?
You can use either bread flour or all-purpose flour for this recipe, though bread flour may provide a slightly chewier texture.
How do I know if the water is the right temperature?
The water should be lukewarm, ideally heated to approximately 110 degrees Fahrenheit to properly activate the yeast.
Can I make these buns without a bread machine?
While this recipe is written for a bread machine, you could mix and knead by hand, then follow the same rising and baking instructions.
What size baking pan should I use?
A greased 9x13-inch baking pan is ideal for holding all 12 buns.
How long is the second rise?
After shaping the buns, let them rise in a warm area for about 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until they have doubled in size.
Is the citrus zest required?
The lemon and orange zests are optional, but they help brighten the overall flavor of the buns.
How should I store leftover buns?
Store them in an airtight container at room temperature. For longer storage, you can freeze them and reheat later.
Can I toast these buns?
Yes, they are delicious when toasted and served warm with a bit of butter.
What should I do if the buns are too sticky to handle?
Work on a lightly floured surface and add 1 tablespoon of flour at a time until the dough is manageable.
What ingredients are used in the egg wash?
The egg wash is made from one remaining egg yolk mixed with 2 tablespoons of water.
Can I skip the almond extract?
You can, but the almond extract adds a pleasant nutty depth to both the dough and the icing.
Why do I need to punch down the dough?
Punching down the dough after the first cycle releases gases and allows the dough to be easily shaped.
How many calories are in one bun?
Each bun contains approximately 200 calories.
What is the order of ingredients for the bread machine?
This recipe suggests adding wet ingredients first, then dry ingredients, with the yeast added last in a small well.
Is the nonfat dry milk powder necessary?
The dry milk powder contributes to a tender crumb and richer flavor in the finished bread.
Can I use salted butter?
You can use salted butter, but you may want to slightly reduce the additional salt in the recipe.
How do I make the white icing?
You can use a standard white icing mix or a blend of powdered sugar, milk, and the vanilla and almond extracts.
Can I add nuts to this recipe?
Yes, chopped walnuts or almonds would be a great addition alongside the raisins.
What should I do if the buns aren't rising?
Ensure your yeast is fresh and that the dough is placed in a warm, draft-free area for the second rise.
Can I reheat the buns with the icing on them?
It is best to reheat the buns before adding the icing, as the icing will melt if heated too much.