Easy Orange Hot Cross Buns
If you're looking for a fruity twist on the Classic Hot Cross Buns recipe, this Orange Hot Cross Bun is just what you're looking for! It's perfect for Lent season, especially Good Friday; the recipe is also complemented by a combination of spices, dried raisins, and zesty orange and lemon zest. The orange zest and the raisins add an extra fruity flavor, making this recipe stand out from the classic take on it.
Tools
Ingredients
For the Buns:
- 500g (4 cups) bread flour or all-purpose flour spooned , leveled & sifted
- ¾ teaspoons Saigon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg freshly grated
- A pinch allspice
- 80g granulated sugar
- 20g honey
- 10g (2-½ teaspoons) kosher salt
- 80g unsalted butter softened to room temperature
- 225 ml whole milk (100 F-115 F) or as needed
- 11g instant dry yeast
- 1 large egg room temperature
- 1 large egg yolk room temperature
- 60g raisins hydrated
- 15 ml pure vanilla extract
- Zest from 2 oranges
For the Cross paste:
- 50g sugar
- 100g flour
- ½ teaspoons pure vanilla extract
- 40ml fresh orange juice, milk, or water , or as needed to make a pipeable paste
- 50g unsalted butter , softened at room temperature
- zest from ½ orange
For the Apricot glaze:
- 165g (½ cup) Orange Marmalade or Apricot Preserves such as Bonne Maman
- 2 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Combine the sifted flour, sugar, spices, and salt in the center of a clean work surface or a 30 qt. standard-weight mixing bowl. Make a well in the center of the flour mixture. Add the yeast and the warm milk to the well and mix well until the yeast dissolves.
- Add the beaten eggs to the wet mixture, followed by the softened butter, vanilla extract, and honey. Begin to incorporate the flour, starting with the inner rim of the well.
- The dough will start to come together in a shaggy mass when about half of the flour is incorporated. Continue kneading until smooth and elastic, about 15 minutes. Add the raisins and orange zest to the dough and knead them until evenly distributed. Form the dough into a ball.
- Generously butter a large clean bowl and transfer the dough ball to it. Turn the ball to coat with the butter, then cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel. Let the dough rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 to 1-½ hours.
- Butter a 9-by-13-inch baking pan. Turn the dough out onto a clean work surface and divide it into 12 even pieces (about 90 to 100 grams each) with a bench scraper or sharp knife.
- Form each piece into a ball and place it in the prepared pan. Cover the pan tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate it for up to 1 day, or cover the dough with a clean kitchen towel and let it rise until doubled again, about 1 to 1-½ hours (longer if the dough has been chilled). Position a rack in the center of the oven and preheat to 350 degrees.
- Prepare the topping: In a small bowl, combine the flour, sugar, softened butter, and vanilla. Slowly add milk to form a smooth paste. Transfer the paste to a pastry bag or zip-top bag and snip a ⅓-inch hole in one corner. Pipe lines across the centers of the balls in one direction and then again in the opposite direction so that each ball has a cross.
- Bake the orange hot cross buns until risen and browned, 25 to 30 minutes. The internal temperature of a center bun should register 190 degrees. While the buns are baking, cook the orange marmalade or apricot preserves and water in a medium pot over medium heat. Stir with a fork as it cooks until the mixture is a thin, shiny liquid, about 3 minutes.
- Remove from the heat. As soon as the buns come out of the oven, brush the syrup evenly over them. Serve the Orange Hot Cross Buns hot, warm, or at room temperature.
Notes
How to Store & Reheat
To store: Let them cool completely and then place them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
To reheat: Warm them in the oven at 300°F (150°C) for 5-10 minutes or briefly microwave them for 10-15 seconds.
Make Ahead
To make Orange Hot Cross Buns ahead of time, you can prepare the dough until the point of shaping the buns. After the dough has risen for the first time, punch it down gently, cover it tightly, and refrigerate overnight. The next day, remove the dough from the refrigerator, shape it into buns, and let it rise at room temperature until puffy. Once risen, bake the buns as instructed in the recipe.
This allows you to have freshly baked buns in the morning without going through the entire preparation process. It's a convenient option for breakfast or brunch gatherings or when you want to save time in the morning.
How to Freeze
To freeze Orange Hot Cross Buns, wrap each bun in plastic wrap and place them in a freezer-safe bag or container. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 1 month. To thaw, transfer the buns to the refrigerator overnight. Reheat in the oven or microwave before serving.
Nutrition Facts
Easy Orange Hot Cross Buns
Amount per Serving
Calories
375
% Daily Value*
Fat
11
g
17
%
Saturated Fat
6
g
38
%
Trans Fat
1
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
1
g
Monounsaturated Fat
3
g
Cholesterol
55
mg
18
%
Sodium
349
mg
15
%
Potassium
132
mg
4
%
Carbohydrates
61
g
20
%
Fiber
2
g
8
%
Sugar
19
g
21
%
Protein
8
g
16
%
Vitamin A
372
IU
7
%
Vitamin C
1
mg
1
%
Calcium
45
mg
5
%
Iron
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
All nutritional information is based on third-party calculations and is only an estimate. Each recipe and nutritional value will vary depending on the brands you use, measuring methods, and portion sizes per household.
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