Easy Hot Cross Buns Recipe

Soft, fluffy, and perfectly spiced, this easy recipe for homemade hot cross buns will be sure to please your family this coming Easter!

Ingredients

For the Dough

2 tablespoons water warm

2 ¼ teaspoon dry active yeast

1 cup milk whole milk, warm

2 tablespoons butter softened

⅓ cup sugar more if you want buns more sweet

1 teaspoon sea salt

1 large egg room temperature

3 ⅓ cup all-purpose flour use up to ⅓ cup more flour if needed

½ teasoon cinnamon

¼ cup raisins finely chopped

For the Crosses

½ cup flour

5 tablespoons water more if needed

1 tablespoon sugar

For the Sugar Glaze

¼ cup water

¼ cup sugar

Instructions

In a small bowl, combine warm water and active dry yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes to dissolve.

While the yeast is dissolving, take a stand mixer bowl and mix together warm milk, butter, and sugar using a spoon. Once the yeast is ready, add it to the milk mixture along with an egg and whisk until combined.

Then add flour and cinnamon, and mix using a hook attachment until the dough forms (it should form a dough on top of the bowl but it will be sticking to the bottom of the bowl, thats what we are looking for).

Add chopped raisins and mix until combined. Place the dough in a greased bowl, brush with melted butter, cover, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.

After that, divide the dough into 12 pieces, roll each piece into a ball, and place them on a greased baking sheet lined with parchment paper or greased baking dish, making sure to leave space between each ball.

Cover with greased plastic wrap and let it rest in a warm place until it doubles in size, about 45 minutes to 1 hour.

Preheat the oven to 425°F. In a mixing bowl, whisk together flour, water, and sugar. Place the dough into a small ziplock bag, then snip the corner and slowly form crosses on top of the buns.

Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until golden in color.

To make a glaze, in a saucepan mix together water and sugar, bring it to a boil, reduce the heat, and simmer for 3 minutes, then brush it over the hot buns. Enjoy!