Traditional Spiced Hot Cross Buns
Soft, spiced, and dotted with raisins, these Traditional Spiced Hot Cross Buns bring cozy comfort and a touch of nostalgia perfect for holidays or chilly mornings when you need something extra special.
Equipment
- Mixing Bowl
- Baking dish
- Piping Bag
Ingredients
Dough
- 3/4 cup whole milk warmed to about 110°F
- 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast or instant yeast 1 standard packet
- 1 tsp granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light or dark brown sugar packed
- 5 Tbsp unsalted butter softened to room temperature and cut into 5 pieces
- 1/2 tsp pure vanilla extract
- 2 large eggs at room temperature
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp ground allspice
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose or bread flour spooned and leveled
- 1 cup raisins or currants
Flour Cross
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 6–8 Tbsp water
Orange Icing
- 1 cup confectioners’ sugar
- 3 Tbsp orange juice fresh or bottled
Instructions
- Warm the milk and mix with yeast and granulated sugar. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy.
- Add brown sugar, butter, vanilla, eggs, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice. Stir in half the flour, then the rest and the raisins. Knead until smooth (about 6 minutes).
- Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise until doubled (1–2 hours).
- Punch down dough, divide into 12–14 balls, and place in greased baking dish. Cover and let rise again for about 1 hour.
- Mix flour and water into a thick paste. Pipe crosses over buns.
- Bake at 350°F for 20–25 minutes until golden. Let cool slightly.
- Whisk together powdered sugar and orange juice. Drizzle or pipe over buns. Enjoy warm!
Notes
These freeze beautifully. You can make the dough ahead and let it rise overnight in the fridge. Reheat in the oven for fresh-from-the-bakery flavor.