Easy Orange Hot Cross Buns
Orange hot cross buns are soft, lightly spiced yeast buns made with orange zest, raisins, and a traditional cross, commonly served at Easter.
Equipment
- Stand Mixer with Dough Hook
- 13×9-inch baking pan
- Piping bag
Ingredients
For the Buns:
- 500 g bread flour or all-purpose flour
- ¾ teaspoons Saigon ground cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon nutmeg freshly grated
- A pinch allspice
- 80 g granulated sugar
- 20 g honey
- 10g (2-½ teaspoons) kosher salt
- 80g g softened unsalted butter , cut into cubes
- 225 ml whole milk (100 F-115 F) or as needed
- 11 g instant dry yeast
- 1 large egg room temperature
- 1 large egg yolk room temperature
- 60 g raisins hydrated
- 1 tablespoon pure vanilla extract
- Zest from 2 oranges
For the Cross paste:
- 50 g sugar
- 100 g flour
- ½ teaspoon pure vanilla extract
- 40 ml fresh orange juice, milk, or water , or as needed to make a pipeable paste
- 50 g unsalted butter , softened at room temperature
- zest from ½ orange
For the Apricot glaze:
- 165g (½ cup) Apricot Preserves such as Bonne Maman
- 2 tablespoons water
Instructions
- Combine the flour, sugar, spices, and salt in a large bowl or on a clean work surface. Make a well in the center. Add the yeast and warm milk, then mix until the yeast dissolves.
- Add the beaten eggs, softened butter, vanilla, and honey. Gradually incorporate the flour from the edges until a shaggy dough forms.
- Knead the dough until smooth and elastic, about 12–15 minutes. Add the raisins and orange zest, then knead until evenly distributed. Shape into a ball.
- Place the dough in a generously buttered bowl, turning to coat. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 to 1½ hours.
- Butter a 9 × 13-inch baking pan. Turn the dough onto a clean surface and divide into 12 equal pieces (about 90–100 g each). Shape into balls and place in the pan.
- Cover and let rise again until doubled, about 1 to 1½ hours, or refrigerate overnight and let come to room temperature before baking.
- Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Make the cross paste: Mix flour, sugar, butter, and vanilla. Add milk gradually until a smooth, pipeable paste forms. Transfer to a piping bag and pipe crosses over the buns.
- Bake for 25–30 minutes, until golden brown and the center reaches 190°F (88°C).
- Heat apricot preserves with water until smooth and glossy, about 3 minutes.
- Brush the glaze over the hot buns. Serve 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
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.
Nutrition Disclaimer: The nutritional information provided is an estimate, calculated using standard data sources. Actual values may vary based on ingredient brands, preparation methods, and portion sizes. This information is for general reference only and should not be considered a substitute for professional dietary advice.
