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Soft Hot Cross Buns Recipe with Easy Zesty Orange Glaze for Easter

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Soft, fluffy hot cross buns with warm spices and a bright, zesty orange glaze. Perfect for Easter or spring brunches, these buns combine tradition with a fresh citrus twist.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 ½ cups (440g) all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
  • 1 packet (2 ¼ tsp or 7g) active dry yeast
  • ½ cup (120ml) warm whole milk (110°F/43°C)
  • ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg, room temperature
  • 4 tbsp (56g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • ½ tsp ground nutmeg
  • ½ tsp salt
  • ½ cup (80g) currants or raisins (optional)
  • ½ cup (60g) all-purpose flour (for crosses)
  • ⅓ cup (80ml) water (for crosses)
  • ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar (for glaze)
  • ¼ cup (60ml) freshly squeezed orange juice (about 1 medium orange)
  • 1 tsp finely grated orange zest
  • 1 tbsp (15g) unsalted butter (for glaze)
  • Pinch of salt (for glaze)

Instructions

  1. Warm the milk until about 110°F (43°C). Stir in the yeast and 1 tbsp sugar. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy and bubbly.
  2. In a large bowl or stand mixer, combine the flour, remaining sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Add the softened butter, egg, and the foamy yeast mixture. Mix on low until combined, then knead for about 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  3. Fold in the currants or raisins gently but evenly. Cover the dough and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 to 1 ½ hours, or until doubled in size.
  4. Punch down the risen dough gently. Divide into 12 equal pieces (about 2.5 oz each). Shape into smooth balls and place on a parchment-lined baking sheet, spaced about 2 inches apart. Cover and let rise for another 30–45 minutes until puffy.
  5. Mix the ½ cup flour with water to make a thick paste. Transfer to a pastry bag or plastic bag and pipe crosses over the buns carefully.
  6. Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake the buns for 18–20 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.
  7. While buns bake, combine sugar, orange juice, zest, butter, and pinch of salt in a small saucepan. Heat gently, stirring, until sugar dissolves and mixture thickens slightly (about 5 minutes). Remove from heat.
  8. Brush the warm buns generously with the orange glaze right out of the oven. Let the glaze soak in as the buns cool slightly.

Notes

If dough feels sticky, add flour tablespoon by tablespoon while kneading. Do not overbake to keep buns soft. Glaze can be reheated gently if thickened before brushing. Milk temperature is critical for yeast activation. Dough can be refrigerated overnight after kneading for better flavor. Fresh orange zest is key for glaze flavor; lemon zest can substitute.

Nutrition

Keywords: hot cross buns, Easter recipe, soft buns, orange glaze, spiced buns, spring brunch, traditional, citrus glaze

Find it online: https://yumnode.com/soft-hot-cross-buns-recipe-with-easy-zesty-orange-glaze-for-easter/