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cross rolls with icing
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Hot Cross Buns

Hot Cross Buns, a traditional spiced sweet bun recipe made with fruit and marked with a cross on top, typically served for Good Friday.
Course Appetizer, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine American
Keyword bread, buns, dinner rolls, raisin, rolls
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 25 minutes
rising 1 hour 45 minutes

Ingredients

Buns

  • 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast 1 packet
  • ¾ cup warm milk 105-110 degrees F
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar
  • 3 to 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • ¼ tsp ground allspice
  • 1 tsp salt
  • ¼ cup unsalted butter - softened (½ stick )
  • 2 large eggs room temperature
  • 1 cup raisins plumped in hot water, and drained

Glaze

  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tbsp milk

Icing

  • 1 ½ cups confectioner's sugar
  • 4-5 tsp milk

Instructions

  • In a small bowl, add the milk and sugar, then sprinkle the yeast over the top.
  • Let sit until foamy, about 5 minutes.
  • In a large mixing bowl, whisk together 3 cups of flour, cinnamon, allspice, and salt.
  • Create a well in the center and add the yeast mixture, butter, and eggs.
  • Mix using a stand mixer or wooden spoon until well combined.
  • Stir in the raisins until well incorporated.
  • Turn the dough onto a floured surface to knead or use the dough hook on a stand mixer.
  • Add more flour if needed a little at a time.
  • Form a ball and place it back into the mixing bowl.
  • Cover with plastic wrap and place in a warm area to rise until doubled, about 1 hour.
  • Punch down the dough and turn onto a floured surface.
  • Coat a 13x9 baking dish with butter.
  • Divide the dough evenly and shape it into balls.
  • Place the shaped dough on a baking sheet, cover with a towel and let rise again until doubled, about 30-45 minutes.
  • Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.
  • Optional: score the top of the rolls using a knife making a cross pattern.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the glaze ingredients.
  • Brush the glaze over the buns.
  • Bake for 20-25 minutes or until lightly browned.
  • Remove from the oven and let cool slightly, transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the ingredients for the icing, it should be thin enough to pipe onto the buns easily but not too thin.
  • Transfer to a piping bag.
  • Frost a cross-shape onto each bun.
  • Allow the frosting to set until.
  • Store in an airtight container.