Traditional Easter Hot Cross Buns
These traditional Hot Cross Buns bring the rich flavors of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice combined with a generous mixture of sultanas, raisins, and currants for a classic treat. Perfect for Easter, these buns offer a soft and fluffy texture, with an aromatic cross of flour paste baked into the top and a glossy sugar glaze. Prep time includes room for multitasking, allowing you to enjoy these buns fresh out of the oven in just under 2 hours.
16
Servings
181
Calories
15
Ingredients
Ingredients
instant yeast
4 1/2 teaspoons (none)
caster sugar
1/4 cup (none)
warm milk
1 1/2 cups (warmed to body temperature)
all-purpose flour
4 cups (sifted)
ground cinnamon
2 teaspoons (none)
ground nutmeg
1 teaspoon (none)
allspice
1/2 teaspoon (none)
butter
60 g (at room temperature)
egg
1 (lightly beaten)
mixed fruit
375 g (dried; sultanas, raisins, currants)
all-purpose flour
6 tablespoons (for flour paste)
caster sugar
1 tablespoon (for flour paste)
hot water
4 tablespoons (for flour paste)
caster sugar
2 tablespoons (for glaze)
boiling water
2 tablespoons (for glaze)
Instructions
1
Combine the instant yeast, 1/4 cup caster sugar, and warm milk in a small bowl. Cover with cling wrap and place in a warm area for approximately 10 minutes until the mixture is frothy.
2
In a large mixing bowl, sift together the all-purpose flour, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and allspice.
3
Using a broad-bladed knife, cut the room temperature butter into the flour mixture. Finish combining with fingertips until crumbly.
4
Toss the mixed dried fruit into the flour mixture, ensuring the fruit is well-coated.
5
Add the yeast mixture and beaten egg to the dry ingredients, stirring to form a sticky dough.
6
Cover the dough with cling wrap and let it rise in a warm place for 45-60 minutes or until it has doubled in size.
7
Grease a 20-25cm square deep-sided cake pan.
8
Punch down the risen dough and knead on a lightly floured surface for about 5 minutes until smooth and elastic.
9
Divide the dough into 16 equal pieces, rolling each into a smooth ball.
10
Place the dough balls into the prepared pan in a 4x4 arrangement. Cover with cling wrap and let rise for another 10-15 minutes, until they have risen to the top of the pan.
11
Preheat the oven to 200°C (392°F).
12
For the flour paste, mix 6 tablespoons of flour, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and enough hot water to form a thick paste. Transfer to a piping bag with a medium round nozzle, or use a makeshift bag by cutting the corner off a zip-lock bag.
13
Pipe the flour paste in a cross shape over the top of each bun.
14
Once the buns have risen, bake them in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes until they are golden brown.
15
Turn the buns out onto a tea towel, invert them back onto a wire rack to cool.
16
Dissolve 2 tablespoons of caster sugar in 2 tablespoons of boiling water. Brush this glaze over the warm buns for a shiny finish.
Nutrition Information
3.75g
Fat
35.6g
Carbs
3g
Protein
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Traditional Easter Hot Cross Bun?
These are spiced sweet buns made with cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and dried fruit, marked with a flour paste cross.
How many calories are in one hot cross bun?
Each bun contains 181 calories.
How many buns does this recipe make?
This recipe yields 16 individual buns.
What spices are used in these buns?
The recipe uses ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, and allspice for a rich, aromatic flavor.
What type of dried fruit is in the recipe?
The recipe calls for a 375g mixture of sultanas, raisins, and currants.
How do I make the yeast mixture frothy?
Combine the instant yeast, 1/4 cup caster sugar, and warm milk, then cover and place in a warm area for about 10 minutes.
What temperature should the milk be for the yeast?
The milk should be warmed to approximately body temperature to properly activate the yeast.
How long does the first rise take?
The dough needs to rise in a warm place for 45 to 60 minutes, or until it has doubled in size.
How long does the second rise take?
After shaping the buns, let them rise for another 10 to 15 minutes in the pan.
What is the required oven temperature?
Preheat and bake the buns at 200°C (392°F).
How long do the buns need to bake?
The buns should bake for 20 to 25 minutes until they are golden brown.
What is the purpose of the flour paste?
The flour paste is used to create the signature cross decoration on top of each hot cross bun.
How do I make the flour paste?
Mix 6 tablespoons of flour, 1 tablespoon of sugar, and enough hot water to form a thick paste.
How do I apply the glaze?
Brush the sugar glaze over the buns while they are still warm to achieve a shiny finish.
What is the glaze made of?
The glaze is a mixture of 2 tablespoons of caster sugar dissolved in 2 tablespoons of boiling water.
Can I use a zip-lock bag for piping the crosses?
Yes, you can use a zip-lock bag by cutting off the corner to pipe the flour paste if you do not have a piping bag.
How long should I knead the dough?
Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for approximately 5 minutes.
What should the dough texture be like after kneading?
The dough should be smooth and elastic once the kneading process is complete.
How many pieces should I divide the dough into?
Divide the dough into 16 equal pieces and roll each into a smooth ball.
What size cake pan is recommended?
A 20-25cm square deep-sided cake pan is recommended for this recipe.
How do I incorporate the butter into the dough?
Cut the room temperature butter into the flour mixture with a knife and then use your fingertips until the mixture is crumbly.
What is the sequence for mixing ingredients?
Prepare the yeast mixture, sift dry ingredients, incorporate butter and fruit, then add the yeast and egg.
Do I need to sift the flour?
Yes, the instructions specify sifting the all-purpose flour together with the cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.
How can I tell when the buns are finished baking?
The buns are finished when they have achieved a consistent golden brown color.
What is the fat content per bun?
Each bun contains approximately 3.75g of fat.
How much protein is in a single serving?
Each serving provides 3g of protein.
What are the total carbohydrates per bun?
There are 35.6g of carbohydrates per bun.
Does this recipe use instant yeast?
Yes, the recipe uses 4 1/2 teaspoons of instant yeast.
What is the total estimated time to make these buns?
The buns can be completed in just under 2 hours, including preparation and rising time.
How should the buns be cooled?
Turn the buns out onto a tea towel and then invert them onto a wire rack to cool.