Hot Cross Buns

Print Recipe
Prep Time 30 minutes
Cook Time 22 minutes
Rising Time 2 hours 30 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 22 minutes
Servings: 12
Course: Breakfast
Cuisine: American
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

For Yeast
  • 1/4 cup warm water 105-110 F
  • 2-1/4 tsp instant or active dry yeast
  • 1 tsp sugar
For Bun Dough
  • 1 cup warm milk
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter melted
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 tsp ground allspice
  • 1-1/2 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp vanilla
  • 1 cup raisins
  • 3 to 3-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
For the Cross
  • 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 3 to 4 tbsp water
For the Glaze
  • 1/4 cup powdered sugar
  • 2 to 3 tsp milk

Method
 

Prepare the Yeast
  1. In a small bowl, whisk together warm water, yeast, and sugar.
  2. Allow the mixture to sit for at least 10 minutes, or until bubbly.
Make the Dough
  1. In a large bowl, whisk together the warm milk, butter, 1/2 cup sugar, cinnamon, allspice, and salt.
  2. Add the bubbly yeast mixture and raisins. Stir to combine.
  3. Add flour gradually, and mix until nearly combined before adding more. Start with 2 cups and stir with a spoon or work it in with your hands. Decrease the amount of flour each time you add. Continue to add flour until the dough is soft and slightly sticky.
  4. Place dough in a large, lightly greased bowl and cover with a clean towel or plastic wrap. Set the bowl in a warm spot and let the dough rise until is has doubled in size. (About 1-1/2 hours.)
  5. Uncover the dough and punch down. Divide the dough into 12 equal parts and roll out into balls.
  6. Place the dough into a lightly greased 9x13 baking dish, spacing evenly. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise for 1 hour or until they have puffed and doubled. The dough should fill the pan.
Make the Cross
  1. Whisk together 1/4 cup flour and just enough water so that it becomes a thick paste.
  2. Place the mixture in a zip top bag, and clip one corner. Use the bag to pipe lines over the buns to form crosses.
  3. Bake in a preheated oven at 350 °F for 20-23 minutes, until light golden brown. Allow the buns to cool in the pan for 15 minutes before removing to a cooling rack.
Glaze
  1. Whisk together the powdered sugar, maple syrup, and milk. Brush over the buns.