Hot Cross Buns

Embark on a journey of culinary delight with our irresistible Hot Cross Buns recipe. These buns, infused with a symphony of flavors, offer a perfect blend of softness and sweetness that will leave you craving for more. Whether enjoyed as a morning treat or a comforting afternoon snack, these buns are sure to become a cherished addition to your baking repertoire.

Ingredients

For the Dough:

• ¾ cup fat-free milk
• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into pieces
• 2¾ cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• ¹⁄₃ cup white whole wheat flour or additional ¹⁄₃ cup unbleached all-purpose flour
• ¼ cup light brown sugar
• 1½ teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon ground mace
• 2½ teaspoons SAF yeast or 1 tablespoon bread machine yeast
• ²⁄₃ cup dried currants
• ¹⁄₃ cup finely chopped dried apricots or dried plums

For the Icing:

• ¾ cup sifted confectioners’ sugar
• ¼ teaspoon vanilla extract, almond extract, lemon oil, or Fiori di Sicilia
• 1¼ tablespoons fat-free milk

Preparations

Elevate your baking experience with these step-by-step instructions for creating the perfect Hot Cross Buns:

1. Begin by crafting the dough. In your bread machine, combine all the dough ingredients except the dried fruit according to the manufacturer’s instructions. Choose the Dough cycle and start the process. Once completed, you’ll have a soft dough ball.
2. Prepare a baking sheet by lining it with parchment paper. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface when the machine beeps at the end of the cycle. Create a large freeform rectangle and sprinkle the dried fruit evenly over the surface. Press the fruit gently into the dough. Fold the dough into thirds, kneading a few times to distribute the fruit evenly. Divide the dough in half and roll each portion into a 10-inch-long log. Cut each log into 6 equal portions to create round buns. Place the buns on the baking sheet with 2 inches of space between them. Allow them to rise, uncovered, at room temperature until doubled in size, which takes about 40 minutes.
3. Preheat your oven to 375ºF (190ºC) 20 minutes before baking.
4. Gently cut a cross, about ½ inch deep, over the surface of each bun using a sharp knife. Bake the buns in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, or until they develop a lovely golden-brown hue.
5. While the buns are in the oven, prepare the icing. Whisk together the confectioners’ sugar, your choice of extract or flavoring, and fat-free milk in a small bowl. Whisk vigorously until the icing is smooth and has a slightly firm consistency suitable for piping.
6. Once the buns are baked to perfection, remove them from the oven and place the baking sheet on a cooling rack. Transfer the prepared icing into a pastry bag fitted with a small plain tip. Pipe a cross over the top of each hot bun, aligning it with the previously cut indentation. Allow the icing to set for a minimum of 20 minutes before savoring the delightful combination of flavors.

Nutritional Information per Serving

• Total Fat: 8g
• Saturated Fat: 3.5g (18%)
• Polyunsaturated Fat: 1.5g
• Monounsaturated Fat: 2.5g
• Cholesterol: 10mg (3%)
• Sodium: 190mg (8%)
• Total Carbohydrate: 43g (16%)
• Total Sugars: 22g

In the world of baking, Hot Cross Buns stand as a testament to the beauty of simplicity and the magic of perfecting traditional recipes. With a soft and tender interior, adorned with a delightful icing cross, these buns are a treat for the senses. Each bite carries the nostalgia of classic flavors while the layers of texture tell a story of careful craftsmanship. As you savor the warm embrace of these buns, you’re reminded that baking isn’t just about creating food; it’s about creating memories and sharing joy.