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Fluffy Hot Cross Buns Recipe with Easy Zesty Orange Glaze

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Soft, fluffy hot cross buns with warm spices and a bright, zesty orange glaze. Perfect for Easter brunch, family breakfasts, or cozy weekend treats.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 ½ cups (440 g) all-purpose flour
  • ¼ cup (50 g) granulated sugar
  • 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp or 7 g) active dry yeast
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp ground nutmeg
  • ½ tsp salt
  • 1 cup (240 ml) whole milk, warmed (not hot!)
  • ¼ cup (56 g) unsalted butter, melted
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • ½ cup (80 g) raisins or currants (optional)
  • ½ cup (60 g) all-purpose flour (for the cross)
  • ⅓ cup (80 ml) water (for the cross)
  • 1 cup (120 g) powdered sugar, sifted (for the glaze)
  • 2 tbsp fresh orange juice (about half a medium orange)
  • 1 tsp orange zest

Instructions

  1. Warm the milk until lukewarm (around 105°F or 40°C). Pour into a large bowl, sprinkle yeast and a pinch of sugar on top, and let sit until foamy (about 10 minutes).
  2. In a separate bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt (about 5 minutes).
  3. Add melted butter and egg to the foamy yeast mixture, then gradually stir in the dry ingredients until a shaggy dough forms (about 5 minutes).
  4. Turn dough onto a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 10-12 minutes by hand or 8 minutes with a stand mixer.
  5. Place dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 1 to 1.5 hours.
  6. Punch down dough, knead in raisins or currants if using. Divide dough into 12 equal pieces (~2.5 oz each), shape into balls, and arrange on parchment-lined baking sheet.
  7. Cover buns loosely and let rise again until puffy and nearly doubled, about 45 minutes.
  8. Mix flour and water for the crosses into a thick paste. Pipe crosses over each bun using a piping bag or plastic bag with a corner snipped off.
  9. Bake buns in a preheated oven at 375°F (190°C) for 20-25 minutes until golden brown and hollow sounding when tapped.
  10. While baking, whisk together powdered sugar, orange juice, and zest until smooth. Brush glaze over hot buns immediately after baking.
  11. Let buns cool slightly on a wire rack before serving warm or at room temperature.

Notes

Do not rush the rises; yeast needs time to activate. Knead dough until smooth and elastic for best texture. Brush glaze while buns are warm for a glossy finish. If crosses brown too fast, cover loosely with foil halfway through baking. Let buns cool 5 minutes before glazing to prevent glaze from dripping.

Nutrition

Keywords: hot cross buns, Easter buns, orange glaze, fluffy buns, cinnamon buns, sweet bread, holiday baking

Find it online: https://blingbite.com/fluffy-hot-cross-buns-recipe-with-easy-zesty-orange-glaze/