Hot Cross Buns And New Food52 App
This recipe comes from The Bakers Catalogue/King Arthur Flour. I am working my way to Easter and Hot Cross Buns are an Easter tradition for many. I have never made them before, I’ve bought and eaten them and love them but never tried making them myself. This recipe sounds easy enough, I love the boozy fruit in the buns and am a sucker for that sweet cross on the top of the bun.
They turned out just beautiful, soft and pillowy, they smell amazing and have a very good rise. They are really delicious and made only a few minor changes mainly with the dried fruit and the soaking liquid and they turned out so good that I will do it again just as I made them.
On a completely unrelated topic, Food52 launched a new app for ipad and iPhone that I am having so much fun with, it’s all about cooking without a recipe or #notrecipes. Half of what I make does not involve a recipe except for baking. It’s a fun app, you interact with other cooks and there are great food52 contests as well. Try it out, it’s very cool, a real source of inspiration and it’s free.
Hot Cross Buns
Recipe from King Arthur Flour
Makes 12-14 buns
Buns
- 1/4 cup apple juice or rum(I used Poire William)
- 1/2 cup mixed dried fruit(apricots, golden raisins, cherries,cranberries,pears)
- 1/2 cup raisins or dried currants(didn’t use currants used golden raisins)
- 1 1/4 cups milk, room temperature (Used 2% but recommend whole milk)
- 3 large eggs, 1 separated
- 6 tablespoons butter, room temperature
- 2 teaspoons instant yeast
- 1/4 cup light brown sugar, firmly packed
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves or allspice (I used allspice)
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 3/4 teaspoons salt
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- 4 1/2 cups King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
Topping
- 1 large egg white, reserved from above
- 1 tablespoon milk
Icing
- 1 cup + 2 tablespoons confectioners’ sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract
- pinch of salt
- 4 teaspoons milk, or enough to make a thick, pipeable icing (It was very thick but was better thick than too thin)
Directions
- Lightly grease a 10″ square pan or 9″ x 13″ pan. (I used a sheet pan lined with parchment)
- Mix the rum or apple juice with the dried fruit and raisins, cover with plastic wrap, and microwave briefly, just till the fruit and liquid are very warm, and the plastic starts to “shrink wrap” itself over the top of the bowl. Set aside to cool to room temperature. Note: If you worry about using plastic wrap in your microwave, simply cover the bowl with a glass lid. I don’t microwave plastic at all, heated in a saucepan, poured into a bowl, covered and sat aside.
- When the fruit is cool, mix together all of the dough ingredients except the fruit, and knead, using an electric mixer or bread machine, till the dough is soft and elastic. Mix in the fruit and any liquid not absorbed.
- Let the dough rise for 1 hour, covered. It should become puffy, though may not double in bulk.
- Divide the dough into billiard ball-sized pieces, about 3 3/4 ounces each. A heaped muffin scoop (about 1/3 cup) makes about the right portion. You’ll make 12 to 14 buns. Use your greased hands to round them into balls. Arrange them in the prepared pan.
- Cover the pan, and let the buns rise for 1 hour, or until they’ve puffed up and are touching one another. While the dough is rising, preheat the oven to 375°F. Now this is not included in the recipe but I saw several that all do this, with a knife or razor blade slice a cross on top of each bun, not a deep cut really just the surface only.
- Whisk together the reserved egg white and milk, and brush it over the buns.
- Bake the buns for 20 minutes, until they’re golden brown. Remove from the oven, and transfer to a rack to cool.
make sure they cool completely before adding the cross
- Mix together the icing ingredients, and when the buns are completely cool, pipe it in a cross shape atop each bun.
These hot cross buns are delicious.
apuginthekitchen 
Good Morning
Need one of those right now with my coffee ☕☕
That was breakfast this morning. Thank you!
These look wonderful Suzanne! The icing cross is a nice sweet touch. I love hot cross buns (I just made some myself actually!). I’m definitely going to have some for breakfast tomorrow with a hot cup of tea! Happy Easter to you and yours xx
Happy Easter Laura, would love to see your recipe. Thank you so much.
These look so delicious Suzanne! I agree with the comment above..I bet they would be great with a cup of coffee! Thanks for the information on Food52! I have been meaning to check out Food52.
Yes, it was wonderful this morning with a cup of hot coffee. A very nice breakfast. Thank you so much Antonia and look forward to seeing you on Food52!!
These look so tasty! I’ve actually never had hot cross buns before but I’m inspired to try them.
Checking out the app now…
The are wonderful, warm spiced bread with a bit of sweet icing is pretty heavenly. Thank you so much.
Ahh loving your hot cross buns Suzanne, especially the mixture of dried fruit and the rum. I may just have to give it a go. What do you think of wholewheat white flour (KAF) as a substitute? That app looks great, are they on FB at all, I mean Food 52?
Thanks Loretta, yes white whole wheat should be just fine, I don’t know if it would have to be adjusted to accomodate but the dough should be a bit sticky so if you make it watch for that. I don’t know if they are on facebook, will have to look, I know individual editors are. Thank you so much.
Your buns look fantastic Suzanne! I tried a recipe a few years ago that didn’t quite work out as well as I’d hoped so I’m going to save this one for future use!
This recipe works really well, I’ve never made them before so wasn’t sure what to expect but the results were amazing. Thanks so much Heather.
Looking wonderful-great for Easter (Adults would love to see them then devour them-pronto-LOL). I imagine the aroma while baking was pleasant too?! Have a great Holiday… Cheryl xo
PS Fell better! Spring is coming…
The recipe said you can soak the fruit in juice so they are kid friendly LOL. They are delicious and I enjoyed making them. Thanks Cheryl, I feel much better today.
I mean feel better (those fast typing fingers-yes, yes, excuses…
LOL, fast fingers and spell check which half the time doesn’t work.
Blah-I do not like typing errors so I better slowwwwwwwwwwwwww down. Cheryl xo
I just made some hot cross buns too!! Love hot cross buns.
Did you, aren’t they wonderful, thank you so much.
The buns look fab, I can just imagine the flavour 🙂
And the app sounds great, like you, I cook a lot without a recipe, I love it!
Happy Easter xx
You have to get the app Elaine, your delicious food would be a perfect fit. Thank you so much.
I did set up a profile, I just haven’t got much further! I need to give it some time and concentration I think..I know Selma liked Food52
If you have set up a profile you can download the new app if you have ipad or iphone. It’s much less involved than the site and all you need to do is post a photo and tell about it. Sort of like instagram only you can actually tell how you made whats in the photo and list the ingredients.
Your buns look wonderful Suzanne! Perfect to celebrate Easter!
Every time I see your posts I feel like I should challenge myself more in the baking department. You are really inspirational to me.
Happy Easter to you, Percy and the rest of your family! xo
Happy Easter to you, Stefano, Her Majesty and sweet Sophia. Thank you so much. You are such an accomplished cook Francesca everything you do is amazing.
You are way too kind! 😘
Its true :o)
Beautiful to see, so delicious – evidently – I do want some ! Happy Easter, Suzanne, and for every body 🙂
Thank you France, wish I could bring you some.
May I reblog ? 🙂
Absolutely, thank you so much France.
Thank you so much, Suzanne, Happy Easter 🙂
Suzanne, these look so scrumptious. I have yet to bake Hot Cross Buns, and let’s face it homemade are so much better than the bought ones 🙂 Happy Easter 🙂
This was my first time, they turned out so well. The recipe is really good, the spicing is just perfect. It’s a keeper. Thank you so much.
Fantastic to know. I am going to give them a try 🙂
Hi Suzanne. The bun in your last photo certainly looks like it would melt in your mouth! You’ve actually made me want to try them… I didn’t like them, but I’ve never had a proper (or hot) one, just tried once or twice from the grocery store bakery… (I imagine you cringing at that! 😀 ) Anyway these look divine. Enjoy your holiday. Mega hugs!
Prior to yesterday I had only ever eaten store bought hot cross buns. I think the best one I had was from a local bakery but it still was not as good as these. The recipe is wonderful and I will make them again next year (or maybe sooner) Thank you so much Teagan and massive hugs to you!!
Reblogged this on lepapillondeslivrescerclerenevigo.
Thank you so much.
They look delicious!
Thank you!
Suzanne, these buns looks so good. I’m in Germany and I have to wait to make them when I get home. Thanks for the food52 app tip , I have to download it. Happy Easter and hugs.
Thank you Gerlinde. Have a wonderful time in Germany. Safe travels.
The buns look lovely, you are a talented cook with a large repertoire. Lucky you having those hot cross buns to eat for breakfast. 😉
Yes it was a wonderful breakfast with a big hot mug of coffee Thank you so much.
Love, love hot cross buns! Reminds me that I have not made them in awhile…
Thank you Marisa, I had never made them before but now I don’t see myself waiting until Easter to make them again.
Thanks for sharing your recipe.
Thank you for stopping by!! Happy Easter.
Yummy yummy get in my tummy! These look GREAT!
Ha, thanks so much Jess.
These buns look perfect, Suzanne! What a delicious way to celebrate Easter. I’ve never made them either, but you’ve inspired me (again!). And, thanks for recommending the Food52 app. I always enjoy swinging by the website, so looking forward to checking out the app. Happy Easter to you and sweet Percy!
Thank you so much and a very Happy Easter to you and yours!!
Wow Suzanne, these buns look just delicious. The texture looks s0 light and moist. I can only imagine how wonderful it would be to sink my teeth into one with my morning coffee….yum!
I really love them. The combination of the spices reminds me of a favorite spice cake that we used to almost always have around, it had raisins and a creamy icing and it was delicious. My first bite of the roll brought me back to my childhood. Thank you so much Julie.
Happy Easter Suzanne!
Thes buns are awesome Suzanne! They must be amazing and the smell must be incredible!
Thank you Margherita and Happy Easter to you and yours.
Beautiful recipe and photos of the hot cross buns Suzanne! Sadly, I own an Android.
Oh my, sorry. I know they have to be working on the app for android. Thanks so much Kathryn.
Wow these looks fabulous Suzanne. .. I love hot cross buns and your pictures are making me drooooool. .. wish I could grab one right now…. yummm
Wish I could give you one right now. Thank you so much Chitra.
I’ve never made hot cross buns but these look amazingly good – my mouth is seriously watering. The app sounds like fun – I’m going to download it…
Next time I make them I am going to incorporate some spelt flour into the recipe. I think it would be fantastic. Everytime I use spelt I think of you. Thank you so much and a very Happy Easter to you and your family. Hugs to Java and Hugo from Mr. Percy,
I think the spelt would be great for the texture – good idea! Very Happy Easter to you and Mr Percy too.
Yumm Suzanne I could go for one of these with my morning coffee! So lovely
Thanks so much Lynn. that was breakfast this morning.
So lovely yumm
I bet they are delicious. And so perfect for spring!
Thanks Michelle, they are really good.
Wow, Suzanne… for your first venture into making hot-cross buns, it looks as if you’ve mastered them! They look delicious! Love your personal notes included in both ingredients and directions. It’s very helpful, and just may give me the push to bake some up myself!
It’s a great recipe. Next time I make them I will use whole milk rather than 2% that little extra percent of fat I think will make them even more moist. Thank you so much Nancy and a very Happy Easter to you.
Those look and sound really good. I made them a couple of years ago and found the spiced dough (can’t remember the proper term) very difficult to knead by hand – which put me off from making them again. But I don’t like them if shop bought. Darn! If only I could just pop over to New York…:)
I use my stand mixer to knead can’t do it by hand. They are lovely Johnny thank you so much!!
These looks so good!
Thanks so much Nancy.
The buns look exactly how you have described them, pillowy and beautiful. The dried fruits give them a notch. Happy Easter dear Suzanne! 🙂
Thanks Fae, they were just that but one thing I found out is that they should be eaten the same day. The next day they were not as soft and texture changed, It’s still a great recipe and I think next time I will freeze un iced so they stay fresh.
Beautiful! They turned out perfectly! I’ll have to check out the app too. Happy Easter!
Happy Easter Susan and thank you so much.
How sumptuous these hot cross buns look ! I was busy last week, and didn’t get any time to make Easter goodies 😦 hopefully next year I do get a chance to make these , they look amazing 🙂
Thank you so much Freda, I really love the rolls the spicing really makes them so special.
Is it too late to make these Suzanne??!! It’s not cheating if I make them after Easter, is it? They are simply beautiful. (and bread is my favorite “food group.”) thanks!
It’s never too late they are delicious. If you do make them, from my notes freeze unfrosted buns I know I wont eat they got a bit dry the next day and also add more soaked fruit. Thanks Rhonda😄
OK, Suzanne– I liked the variety of fruit you picked! I’m storing the recipe away til our kids are home and we will eat the entire pan in one sitting! awesome recipe! xo
I did too and when I make them again I will use the same combination. Thank you so much!!
I don’t believe I’ve ever had a hot cross bun. Crazy, huh!? These look superb! And by the way, I love your new photo! 🙂
Thanks Em, I have had them but not homemade there is a world of difference they are wonderful!