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Delicious easy hot cross buns baked to perfection with spices and maple syrup, perfect for Easter brunch.
Alyssa

Easy Hot Cross Buns

Who doesn't love the smell of fresh hot cross buns wafting through the house on Easter weekend mornings? These hot cross buns are easy to make, require no special skills, and taste heavenly!
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Prep Time 2 hours
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 2 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 12 servings
Course: Breads, Desserts
Cuisine: American
Calories: 326
Ingredients Method Notes

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 cup warm water
  • 1/2 cup warm milk
  • 1/2 cup light brown sugar plus 1 tbsp
  • 4 tsp active dried yeast
  • 1/3 cup butter melted
  • 1 egg
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 4 cups bread flour or plain flour
  • 1 tbsp mixed spice or pumpkin pie spice
  • 1 tbsp cinnamon
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1 cup sultanas or mixed fruit
  • 1/4 cup flour
  • 2 tbsp water for crosses
  • 1 tbsp water for glaze
  • 1 tbsp maple syrup

Method
 

  1. Add warm milk, water, one tablespoon of brown sugar and yeast in a large mixing bowl or the bowl of your stand mixer. Leave the yeast to activate for 2 minutes.
    1/2 cup warm milk, 1/2 cup light brown sugar, 4 tsp active dried yeast, 1/3 cup butter
  2. In another bowl, mix the melted butter and remaining brown sugar together. Beat in the egg, then add the salt, cinnamon, mixed spice, vanilla and sultanas.
    1 egg, 4 tsp active dried yeast, 1 tsp salt, 1 tbsp cinnamon, 1 tsp vanilla extract, 1 cup sultanas or mixed fruit
  3. Mix the yeast and spice mixture together along with the remaining flour. Knead the dough by hand for 10 minutes.
    1 tbsp mixed spice or pumpkin pie spice
  4. Divide the dough into pieces and shape them into small balls. Leave them to rise for 30 minutes to an hour.
  5. Mix the flour and water for the crosses and pipe the mixture onto the buns. Bake for 15-20 minutes.
    1/4 cup flour, 1 tbsp water
  6. Brush the tops with maple syrup glaze after baking.
    1 tbsp maple syrup

Notes

These hot cross buns are perfect for Easter celebrations!