Hot Cross Buns (an Easter and springtime tradition)

🧂 Ingredients

• 4 ½ cups all purpose flour
• 1 cup whole milk
• ½ cup butter
• ½ cup white sugar
• ¾ tsp salt
• 2 tsp yeast
• 3 large eggs yolks

  (you can substitute two whole eggs, but your buns won't be as soft)
• ¾ cup currants (or raisins, or mixed diced dried fruit)
• 2 tbsp rum, brandy, bourbon, or orange juice

  (to soak the currants or raisins)
• 2 tbsp candied citrus peel or coarse marmalade
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• ½ tsp ground cardamom
• ½ tsp ground grains of paradise

  (optional)
• ½ tsp ground allspice
• ¼ tsp ground nutmeg

  (freshly grated if you have it)
• ¼ tsp ground cloves
• ½ cup all purpose flour
• 3 oz water

  ¼ cup + 2 tbsp
• 1 tbsp sugar

Instructions

• 1 Soak the currants or dried fruit in a few tablespoons of alcohol, juice, or
  boiling water.
• 2 Scald the milk, gently heating it to just under a boil.
• 3 Remove from the heat and add the butter, sugar, marmalade, and spices to the
  milk. Stir until the butter is melted and the sugar is dissolved. Let cool until
  tepid/lukewarm.
• 4 Pour the cooled milk mixture into a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand
  mixer fitted with a dough hook.
• 5 Proof yeast – sprinkle it over the surface of the milk mixture and let rest for
  a few minutes or until it has dissolved.
• 6 Add half the flour, then add more a half cup at a time until the dough comes
  together. You may not need the last half cup of flour (use this for the cross
  flour paste if you already measured your ingredients).
• 7 Mix & knead dough until it comes together into a soft, slightly sticky dough.
• 8 Add the soaked currants and mix until the fruit is evenly incorporated into the
  dough.
• 9 Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled or buttered bowl, cover tightly, and place
  in a warm place.
• 10 To make ahead, you can let the dough rise overnight in the fridge. The rolls
  made from cold dough will take longer to rise, so give additional time for the
  next step if you are working with refrigerated dough.
• 11 Let the dough rise for about 30 minutes or until doubled. Punch down and let
  rise another 15 minutes.
• 12 Portion the dough into two to four ounce balls for mini or full size buns.
• 13 Shape into balls, rolling the dough gently between cupped hands or on a clean
  surface, rolling and tucking the dough to form a smooth ball.
• 14 Cover the baking sheet tightly with plastic wrap or an oiled cloth or beeswax
  wrap (leaving room for the buns to rise but keeping in the humidity, unless you
  have a humid proofing chamber, and let the buns rise.
• 15 Proof until the rolls are roughly doubled, and lightly hold an indentation when
  pressed with a fingertip.
• 16 While the rolls are rising, mix together the half cup of flour, sugar, and water
  in a small bowl to form a thick paste. You want it thick enough to cling and
  hold a shape briefly when piped, but not so thick that it is difficult to pipe.
  Add a bit more flour or water until you get a good consistency.
• 17 Preheat oven to 400 F.
• 18 Gently glaze rolls with egg wash (thinned with a few spoonfuls of milk) or
  melted butter.
• 19 Pipe on the flour paste cross. Alternately, you can cut slashes in the tops of
  the rolls with a lame (baker’s razor) or sharp knife.
• 20 Bake until golden brown on top, about 20-25 minutes. I like to add a pan with a
  handful of ice cubes to the bottom of the oven right before placing the buns in
  the oven. The steam they generate will help the buns to rise more before the
  gluten in the crust hardens, and gives a softer crust.
• 21 Let the buns cool slightly before serving.

Nutrition Info