Print

Cozy Hot Cross Buns Recipe with Easy Zesty Orange Glaze at Home

hot cross buns recipe - featured image
Print Recipe

Soft, tender hot cross buns with warm spices and a bright, zesty orange glaze. Perfect for cozy mornings or casual gatherings, this recipe is quick, easy, and forgiving.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour (440 g), sifted
  • 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (one packet)
  • ⅓ cup granulated sugar (65 g)
  • 1 cup whole milk (240 ml), warmed to about 110°F (43°C)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter (55 g), softened
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ¾ cup dried currants or raisins (110 g)
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour (65 g) for crosses
  • ⅓ cup water (80 ml) for crosses
  • 1 cup powdered sugar (120 g), sifted
  • 3 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice (45 ml)
  • 1 teaspoon orange zest
  • 1 tablespoon unsalted butter (14 g), melted

Instructions

  1. Warm the milk to about 110°F (43°C). Stir in the sugar and sprinkle the yeast over the top. Let sit for 5 to 10 minutes until foamy and bubbly.
  2. In a large bowl or stand mixer bowl, combine sifted flour, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Add softened butter, eggs, and yeast mixture. Stir until just combined.
  3. Knead the dough by hand on a floured surface or with a dough hook on medium speed for 8-10 minutes until smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky.
  4. Gently knead in the dried currants or raisins until evenly distributed.
  5. Place dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 1 to 1 ½ hours.
  6. Punch down dough and divide into 12 equal pieces (about 2.5 oz or 70 g each). Roll each into a smooth ball and place on parchment-lined baking sheet, spacing 2 inches apart. Cover and let rise for 30-40 minutes until puffy.
  7. Mix ½ cup flour with ⅓ cup water to form a thick paste. Transfer to a piping bag or zip-top bag and pipe a cross on each bun.
  8. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake buns for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and hollow-sounding when tapped.
  9. While baking, whisk powdered sugar, orange juice, orange zest, and melted butter until smooth and glossy.
  10. Brush warm orange glaze generously over buns as soon as they come out of the oven. Let cool on a wire rack before serving.

Notes

Use King Arthur flour or any trusted all-purpose flour. Soak dried fruit briefly in warm water for moist buns. The orange glaze should be drippy but not runny; adjust powdered sugar or juice as needed. For a gluten-free version, use a gluten-free baking blend and add xanthan gum. Vegan options include dairy-free milk, coconut oil, and flax eggs. Let buns rise in a warm, draft-free spot. The cross paste can be made ahead and refrigerated. Brush glaze while buns are hot for best shine.

Nutrition

Keywords: hot cross buns, orange glaze, cozy breakfast, spiced buns, easy bread recipe, dried fruit buns, holiday bread

Find it online: https://blairrecipes.com/cozy-hot-cross-buns-recipe-with-easy-zesty-orange-glaze-at-home/