Name: Homemade Hot Cross Buns
Prep time: 1 h 30 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 1 h 55 min
Cuisine: Bakery
Ingredients: 4 cups flour (bread flour or all purpose) (Use half bread flour and half all purpose for extra softness.); 2.25 teaspoons instant yeast (1 packet) (Active dry yeast can be used if bloomed first.); 1 teaspoon salt (Use unsalted butter for better control.); 0.5 cups sugar; 1.5 teaspoons cinnamon; 0.25 teaspoons nutmeg; 1 cups warm whole milk (Warm to bath temperature.); 0.5 cups melted butter (slightly cooled); 2 large eggs (Make the crumb tender.); 1 cups dried fruit (raisins and dried cranberries) (Chop larger pieces.); 1 tablespoon orange zest (optional) (Enhances aroma.); 1/3 cups apricot jam (Mixed with 1 tablespoon water for brushing.)

Description

Bake up a batch of these soft, rich, and flavorful hot cross buns perfect for any holiday morning.

Ingredients

Dough Ingredients

4 cups flour (bread flour or all purpose) (Use half bread flour and half all purpose for extra softness.)
2.25 teaspoons instant yeast (1 packet) (Active dry yeast can be used if bloomed first.)
1 teaspoon salt (Use unsalted butter for better control.)
0.5 cups sugar
1.5 teaspoons cinnamon
0.25 teaspoons nutmeg
1 cups warm whole milk (Warm to bath temperature.)
0.5 cups melted butter (slightly cooled)
2 large eggs (Make the crumb tender.)
1 cups dried fruit (raisins and dried cranberries) (Chop larger pieces.)
1 tablespoon orange zest (optional) (Enhances aroma.)

Glaze Ingredients

1/3 cups apricot jam (Mixed with 1 tablespoon water for brushing.)

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Instructions

Preparation

In a large bowl, mix flour, yeast, salt, sugar, and spices.
Add warm milk, melted butter, and eggs. Stir until a shaggy dough forms.
Add dried fruit and orange zest. Knead until the dough is smooth and elastic (about 8-10 minutes by hand, 5-7 in a mixer).
Put the dough in a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise until puffy and about doubled in size (60-90 minutes).

Baking

Punch the dough down gently, divide into 12 to 15 pieces, and roll into balls.
Place the balls in a greased baking pan with space in between.
Cover and let rise until the buns look plump (about 30-45 minutes).
Pipe the cross and bake at 375°F for 20-25 minutes, until golden.
Brush warm glaze over the buns for a shiny top.

Notes

Ensure to not over-flour the dough, warm liquids are important for yeast, and soaking dry fruits can help keep buns moist.

Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Category: Baking, Breakfast
Cuisine: Bakery, Holiday