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Fluffy Hot Cross Buns Recipe Easy Zesty Orange Spiced Buns

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Soft, fluffy hot cross buns with a zesty orange twist and warm spices, perfect for springtime celebrations and cozy mornings.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups (480g) all-purpose flour, sifted
  • 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast (one packet)
  • 1 ¼ cups (300ml) warm milk (about 110°F/43°C)
  • ⅓ cup (65g) granulated sugar
  • 4 tablespoons (57g) unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • Zest of 1 large orange
  • 1 ½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ¼ teaspoon ground allspice
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup (110g) raisins or currants, soaked and drained (optional)
  • For the cross: ⅓ cup (40g) all-purpose flour mixed with water to a thick paste
  • For the glaze: ¼ cup (60ml) orange juice and 2 tablespoons (25g) sugar, heated to a syrup

Instructions

  1. Activate the yeast: Stir warm milk and sugar until sugar dissolves. Sprinkle yeast on top and let sit 5-10 minutes until foamy.
  2. Mix dry ingredients: Combine sifted flour, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice in a separate bowl.
  3. Combine wet ingredients: Beat eggs lightly, add softened butter and orange zest, then stir into yeast mixture once foamy.
  4. Make the dough: Gradually add dry ingredients to wet, mix until shaggy dough forms. Knead 8-10 minutes by hand or 5 minutes with mixer until smooth and elastic.
  5. Add fruit: Fold in drained raisins or currants evenly.
  6. First rise: Shape dough into a ball, cover, and let rise in a warm spot for 1 to 1 ½ hours until doubled.
  7. Shape buns: Punch down dough, divide into 12 equal pieces (~70g each), shape into balls, and place on parchment-lined baking tray.
  8. Second rise: Cover loosely and let buns rise 30-40 minutes until puffy.
  9. Make cross paste: Mix flour and water to thick paste, pipe crosses on buns.
  10. Bake: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake buns 20-25 minutes until golden and hollow-sounding.
  11. Glaze: Warm orange juice and sugar until dissolved. Brush hot buns immediately after baking.
  12. Cool and serve: Let buns cool on rack for 15 minutes. Serve warm with butter.

Notes

Use warm milk at about 110°F to activate yeast properly. Knead dough until smooth and elastic for fluffy texture. Fresh orange zest adds bright flavor; keep refrigerated if zested early. The flour paste for crosses holds shape well during baking. Brush glaze while buns are warm for best absorption. For dairy-free, use almond milk and vegan butter; for vegan, substitute eggs with flax eggs.

Nutrition

Keywords: hot cross buns, orange zest, spiced buns, Easter recipe, fluffy buns, homemade bread, cinnamon buns

Find it online: https://leilameals.com/fluffy-hot-cross-buns-recipe-easy-zesty-orange-spiced-buns-tutorial/