Hot Cross Buns Recipe

This is an updated hot cross buns recipe that is guaranteed to give you the softest buns ever. This recipe is all done by hand and does not require the use of a stand mixer.

While the blend of spices with the fresh lemon zest and honey glaze deliver amazing flavor. The real star here is the texture of the buns. I use the tangzhong method to ensure a pillowy, tender bun.

Hot Cross Buns Recipe

These Hot Cross Buns are soft with a capital "F T". soFFFFTTTTTT!

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Prep Time: 3 hours hours

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Course: Snack

Keyword: baking, bread

Servings: 12

Author: baidawi

Ingredients

Hot Cross Buns

• 150 grams milk ⅔ cups
• 30 grams flour 2 tbsp
• 420 grams flour 3 ⅓ cups
• 270 grams milk 1 ⅛ cups
• 10 grams salt 2 ¼ tsp
• 20 grams sugar 4 ¾ tsp
• 11 grams yeast 2 ½ tsp
• 50 grams butter 3 ⅓ tbsp
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp cardamom
• ⅛ tsp grated nutmeg
• ½ tsp lemon zest
• ¼ cup honey for brushing buns
• 1 egg (beaten) for egg wash

Flour Paste for Cross

• ¼ cup water
• ½ cup flour

Instructions

Tangzhong Method

• Add 150 grams milk and 30 grams flour to a pot then mix until fully combined.
• Heat up mixture then cook until a thick paste is formed.
• Remove mixture from heat then allow to cool.

Hot Cross Buns

• Add milk, sugar and yeast to a bowl then combine.
• Add tangzhong to bowl then combine.
• Add dry ingredients then combine until a dough is formed.
• Add butter then combine with dough.
• Cover dough and allow to rest for 20 minutes.
• After 20 minutes perform four to six series of stretch and folds.
• Allow dough to rest for another 20 minutes then perform the second series of stretch and folds.
• Cover dough and allow to rest for another 20 minutes.
• After 20 minutes perform the final series of stretch and folds then allow to rest for 20 minutes.
• Punch air out of dough and transfer back unto your work surface then divide dough into 12 equal pieces.
• Form dough into balls then place in a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
• Cover then allow to rest for 45 minutes to one hour.
• Brush buns with egg wash.
• Pipe crosses unto dough.
• Bake in a preheated oven at 350 degrees for 18 - 22 minutes or until golden brown.
• Place buns on a cooling rack.
• Brush with honey while still warm.

Flour Paste For Cross

• To make the paste for the crosses, combine flour and water until it becomes a smooth paste.
• Transfer to a Ziplock bag and push down to the corner of the bag. Using a scissors, cut a small hole to allow for piping.

Video

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