Name: Hot Cross Buns recipe
Prep time: 35 min
Cook time: 190 min
Total time: 225 min
Yield: 12
Ingredients: 4 cups plain flour; 7 g dried yeast; 1/4 cup caster sugar; 1 1/2 tsp mixed spice; 1 pinch salt; 40 g butter; 300 ml milk; 2 eggs lightly beaten; 1/2 cup plain flour; 1/2 cup water; 4 tbs water; 2 tbs caster sugar

by Greeneyedwoman Last updated on 08/03/2020

Hot cross buns fans might be surprised to learn just how easy it is to make your own, and the best part is you can make them all year round! This fruit-free recipe is a great place to start, or you can add sultanas if you prefer. The only thing left is to spread liberally with butter, make a cuppa and enjoy. - Australia's Best Recipes Team

Ingredients

4 cups plain flour
7 g dried yeast
1/4 cup caster sugar
1 1/2 tsp mixed spice
1 pinch salt
40 g butter
300 ml milk
2 eggs lightly beaten

Flour paste

1/2 cup plain flour
1/2 cup water

Glaze

4 tbs water
2 tbs caster sugar

Method

Step 1

Place butter and milk into the microwave for 1½ minutes and then add the eggs. Whisk together.
Step 2

In a separate bowl combine mixed spice flour, yeast, sugar and salt. Stir milk mixture through with a knife.
Step 3

Knead well and then cover for 1-2 hours or until it has doubled in size. Leave the mixture in a warm spot to rise.
Step 4

While in the bowl knead the dough back to its original size.
Step 5

On a tray covered with baking paper, place 12 even balls of dough approximately 1 cm apart.
Step 6

Allow 30 minutes to rest in a warm spot. Preheat oven to 200C.
Step 7

Whisk together the flour paste and place into resealable sandwich bag.
Step 8

Snip the corner off and create crosses.
Step 9

Place into oven for 15-20 minutes.
Step 10

Mix together water and sugar and place in the microwave for 1 minute.
Step 11

Brush over the top of the buns and serve warm.

Equipment

1 microwave
1 bowl
1 baking paper
1 whisk
1 snap-lock bags
1 pastry brush

Recipe Notes

from Australia’s Best Recipes team

You may add sultanas.

How should you eat hot cross buns?

If you're making hot cross buns from scratch, there's nothing better than enjoying them served warm with butter. If you want to toast hot cross buns, you can try halving one and putting it in the toaster, but you may find that popping it under the oven grill gets a better result. And if your hot cross buns are looking a little stale, try whipping up an easy hot cross bun bread and butter pudding.