Description
Easy Hot Cross Buns bring Easter flavors to your kitchen without complicated yeast bread recipes. These spiced buns feature golden raisins and their signature cross on top. Softer and fresher than store-bought versions, they fill your house with incredible aromas. Perfect for Easter brunch or holiday gatherings. Kids love the sweet icing cross.Â
Ingredients
- 1/4 cup Grand Marnier or orange juice
- 1 cup golden raisins
- 1 1/4 cups milk, room temperature
- 2 whole eggs plus 1 egg yolk
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons instant yeast
- 1/4 cup honey
- 1 teaspoon orange zest
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1 3/4 teaspoons salt
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 4 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 cup powdered sugar for icing
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 2 tablespoons softened butter for icing
Instructions
1. Soak raisins in Grand Marnier or orange juice overnight.
2. Combine all ingredients except raisins in mixer bowl. Mix with paddle then switch to dough hook and knead until smooth.
3. Mix in soaked raisins and any remaining liquid. Cover dough and let rise for about one hour.
4. Spray two 9×13 inch pans with cooking spray. Divide dough into 24 equal pieces, about 2 ounces each.
5. Roll each piece into a ball and place in greased pans. Cover and let rise for 1 hour.
6. Preheat oven to 375°F. Bake buns for 20 minutes until golden brown.
7. Mix powdered sugar, vanilla, butter, and milk to make icing. Pipe or drizzle crosses on cooled buns.
Notes
Room temperature ingredients mix better and create smoother dough.
Instant yeast saves time because it does not need proofing.
Keep dough soft rather than stiff for fluffier buns.
Weigh dough balls for uniform size and even baking.
Use a piping bag for neat icing crosses.
Warm the milk slightly if your kitchen is cold.
- Prep Time: 2 hours 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 20
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British
Nutrition
- Calories: 206
- Sugar: 14g
- Sodium: 262mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 36g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 35mg