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Cozy Hot Cross Buns

Delightful pastries with a soft, pillowy interior, speckled with sweet fruits and spiced with cinnamon and nutmeg, perfect for cozy family gatherings.
Prep Time 1 hour
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Servings: 12 buns
Course: Breakfast, Dessert
Cuisine: Baked Goods
Calories: 200

Ingredients
  

Dry Ingredients
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 packet active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
Wet Ingredients
  • 1 cup milk, warmed Ensure it's not too hot.
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1 zest of 1 orange
Fruits
  • 1 cup mixed dried fruit (e.g., currants, raisins, candied peel) Feel free to substitute with your favorite dried fruits.
Glaze
  • 1 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 juice of 1 orange

Method
 

Preparation
  1. In a bowl, combine the warm milk and sugar, then sprinkle the yeast over the top. Allow it to sit for about 5-10 minutes until it’s frothy.
  2. In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg.
  3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted butter, eggs, and orange zest. Pour this mixture along with the yeast mixture into the dry ingredients.
  4. Stir until a dough forms, then knead on a floured surface for about 8-10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
  5. Gently fold in the mixed dried fruit, ensuring it’s evenly distributed throughout the dough.
  6. Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap or a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place until it has doubled in size, about 1 hour.
Baking
  1. Once risen, punch down the dough and divide it into 12 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball and place them on a lined baking sheet.
  2. Cover again and let the buns rise for another 30 minutes until they have puffed up.
  3. Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
  4. If you'd like, you can pipe crosses on top of the buns using a simple mixture of flour and water in a zip-lock bag for a homemade touch.
  5. Bake the buns in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes or until golden brown.
Finishing Touch
  1. While the buns are baking, prepare the glaze by mixing the powdered sugar and orange juice. Once the buns are out of the oven, drizzle the glaze on top while they’re still warm.

Notes

These buns can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. For longer shelf life, wrap them in foil and place them in the freezer for up to 3 months. Reheat at 350°F (175°C) for about 10 minutes before serving.