Hot Cross Bun Recipe and Must-Have Kitchen Tools
As Easter approaches, it's the perfect time to embrace the season with a batch of homemade hot cross buns. Whether you're a seasoned baker or just starting out, we've got you covered with a delicious recipe and the essential kitchen tools you'll need to make these Easter treats.
Hot Cross Bun Recipe
Ingredients:
- 4 cups of all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup of sugar
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1 tablespoon of active dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon of ground nutmeg
- ¼ teaspoon of ground allspice
- 1 ¼ cups of warm milk
- 4 tablespoons of unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- ¾ cup of dried currants or raisins
For the Crosses:
- ½ cup of all-purpose flour
- 6-8 tablespoons of water
For the Glaze:
- ½ cup of sugar
- ¼ cup of water
Instructions:
- In a large bowl, combine 3 cups of flour, sugar, salt, yeast, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.
- Add warm milk, melted butter, and egg to the flour mixture. Mix until a soft dough forms.
- Stir in currants or raisins and candied orange peel.
- Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 8-10 minutes, adding the remaining 1 cup of flour gradually, until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Punch down the dough and divide it into 12 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a ball and place them on a greased baking sheet, about 2 inches apart.
- Cover the buns with a clean towel and let them rise for another 30-45 minutes.
- Preheat the oven to 190°C
- In a small bowl, mix ½ cup of flour and enough water to form a thick paste. Pipe the paste over the buns to form crosses.
- Bake the buns for 20-25 minutes or until they are golden brown.
- While the buns are baking, prepare the glaze by heating sugar and water in a small saucepan until the sugar dissolves. Brush the glaze over the warm buns.
Essential Kitchen Tools for Hot Cross Buns
- Mixing Bowls: For combining ingredients and kneading the dough.
- Measuring Cups and Spoons: For accurate measurement of ingredients.
- Baking Tray: To bake the buns.
- Pastry Brush: For applying the glaze.