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Soft Hot Cross Buns Recipe with Easy Zesty Orange Glaze for Easter

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Soft, lightly spiced hot cross buns topped with a sweet and tangy zesty orange glaze. Perfect for Easter or any cozy family breakfast, these buns are soft, flavorful, and easy to make.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 1/2 cups (440g) all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup (50g) granulated sugar
  • 2 1/4 tsp (7g) active dry yeast (one packet)
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 cup (240ml) whole milk, warmed
  • 1/4 cup (60g) unsalted butter, melted and cooled slightly
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 3/4 cup (110g) raisins or currants (optional)
  • 1/2 cup (65g) all-purpose flour (for crosses)
  • 1/3 cup (80ml) water (for crosses)
  • 1 cup (120g) powdered sugar (for glaze)
  • 2 tbsp fresh orange juice
  • 1 tsp finely grated orange zest
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract (optional)

Instructions

  1. Activate the yeast by combining warm milk (about 110°F / 43°C) with sugar and yeast in a small bowl. Stir gently and let sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
  2. In a large bowl, whisk together 3 1/2 cups flour, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
  3. Pour the yeast mixture, melted butter, and egg into the dry ingredients. Stir until dough starts to come together.
  4. Fold in the raisins or currants gently.
  5. Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic (or knead with stand mixer dough hook for 6-7 minutes).
  6. Place dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 1 to 1 1/2 hours.
  7. Punch down dough and divide into 12 equal pieces (about 80g each). Roll each into a smooth ball and place on a lined baking tray.
  8. Cover shaped buns loosely and let rise for another 30-45 minutes until puffed but not doubled.
  9. Mix 1/2 cup flour with 1/3 cup water to form a thick paste for crosses.
  10. Transfer paste to a piping bag or zip-top bag and pipe a vertical and horizontal line across each bun to form crosses.
  11. Bake buns at 375°F (190°C) for 15-18 minutes until golden brown and hollow sounding when tapped.
  12. While baking, whisk together powdered sugar, orange juice, zest, and vanilla to make glaze.
  13. Remove buns from oven and immediately brush generously with orange glaze. Let cool on a rack.

Notes

Use warm milk and room temperature eggs to activate yeast properly. Knead dough well for soft texture. Pipe crosses carefully using a piping bag or zip-top bag. Brush glaze immediately after baking to seal moisture. Store cooled buns in airtight container to avoid sogginess. Freeze unglazed buns for up to 3 months.

Nutrition

Keywords: hot cross buns, Easter buns, orange glaze, soft buns, cinnamon buns, holiday baking, easy buns, zesty glaze

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