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Soft Hot Cross Buns Recipe with Zesty Orange Glaze

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Soft, tender hot cross buns with warm spices and a bright, tangy orange glaze. Perfect for Easter, brunch, or a cozy sweet treat.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 ½ cups (440g) all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
  • 2 ¼ tsp (1 packet) instant yeast
  • 1 ½ tsp ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp ground allspice
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 cup (240ml) whole milk, warmed
  • 4 tbsp (55g) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup (150g) mixed dried fruit (currants, raisins, chopped sultanas)
  • ½ cup (65g) all-purpose flour (for crosses)
  • ⅓ cup (80ml) water (for crosses)
  • 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar, sifted (for glaze)
  • 3 tbsp (45ml) fresh orange juice (for glaze)
  • Zest of 1 medium orange (for glaze)
  • ½ tsp vanilla extract (optional, for glaze)

Instructions

  1. Warm the milk to about 110°F (43°C). Stir in the sugar and yeast. Let sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, cinnamon, allspice, and salt.
  3. Beat eggs lightly in a separate bowl. Add melted butter and foamy yeast mixture, stirring to combine.
  4. Make a well in dry ingredients and pour in wet mixture. Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
  5. Toss in mixed dried fruit and knead by hand on floured surface for 8-10 minutes or with mixer dough hook for 6-7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  6. Place dough in lightly oiled bowl, cover, and let rise in warm spot for 1 to 1.5 hours until doubled in size.
  7. Punch down dough and divide into 12 equal pieces (~70g each). Shape into smooth balls and place on parchment-lined baking sheet spaced 2 inches apart.
  8. Cover loosely and let buns rise for 30-40 minutes until puffy.
  9. Mix ½ cup flour and ⅓ cup water into thick paste. Transfer to piping bag or plastic bag with small corner cut.
  10. Pipe crosses over tops of buns.
  11. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake buns for 18-20 minutes until golden brown and hollow sounding when tapped.
  12. While buns bake, whisk powdered sugar, orange juice, orange zest, and vanilla extract until smooth.
  13. Brush orange glaze generously over warm buns. Let cool on wire rack before serving.

Notes

[‘If glaze thickens, stir in a splash more orange juice.’, ‘Let dough rise fully for soft, fluffy buns; use a warm spot if kitchen is cold.’, ‘Use room temperature eggs for better dough texture.’, ‘Cool melted butter before mixing to avoid killing yeast.’, ‘Pipe crosses with confidence; rustic lines add charm.’, ‘Brush glaze on while buns are warm for best shine and flavor.’, ‘Dough can be refrigerated overnight after kneading; bring to room temperature before shaping.’, ‘Substitute spices or fruits as desired for variations.’, ‘Reheat buns gently to revive softness and flavor.’]

Nutrition

Keywords: hot cross buns, Easter recipe, orange glaze, soft buns, homemade, spiced buns, dried fruit, holiday baking

Find it online: https://jodierecipes.com/soft-hot-cross-buns-recipe-with-zesty-orange-glaze-easy-homemade-easter-treats/