

Hot Cross Buns
About this recipe:
These classic, lightly spiced, fruit buns, decorated with a paste cross are traditionally made at Easter time. Bake these scones in the oven or air fryer. Serve hot cross buns warm or split and toasted for breakfast or as a treat to enjoy with a hot drink.
Equipment:
large baking tray for oven or metal plate, foil or parchment for air fryer and mixing bowls.
Ingredients:
25g butter
150g milk
1 egg
300g Doves Farm Organic Strong White Bread Flour
1 tsp Doves Farm Quick Yeast
1 tbsp caster sugar
¼ tsp salt
1 tsp mixed spice
50g currants
50g mixed peel, chopped
50g Doves Farm Organic Plain White Flour
3 tbsp water
3 tbsp apricot jam
butter for tray
Method:
- Melt the butter, remove from the heat and add the milk, followed by the egg and beat to combine.
- Put the flour, yeast, sugar, salt and mixed spice into a mixing bowl, stir to combine then add the milky mixture.
- Stir to combine and when the dough comes together, knead it in the bowl for 100 presses without adding flour. The dough may be sticky at first then become smooth and pliable.
- Invert another bowl over the dough bowl and leave in a warm place for the dough to double in size, about 2-3 hours.
- Rub some butter around the inside of a large baking tray or insert a baking liner.
- Add the currants and peel to the dough and knead until they are well combined.
- Cut the dough into 10 pieces, roll each into a ball and place them on the prepared oven tray.
- Measure the plain flour into a bowl and add enough water to make a very thick paste.
- Using a brush or teaspoon paint or dribble some paste over the top of each bun to form a cross.
- Leave the buns to rise in a warm place for 20 minutes then repeat the paste cross over each bun and leave to rise for a further 15 minutes.
- Oven bake for 18-20 minutes or see note below for baking in an air fryer.
- Gently heat the apricot jam, mashing any lumps, and brush it over the buns as they come out of the oven.
Air Fryer Baking
- Preheat the air fryer to 160°C for 3 minutes before baking.
- Bake on a metal plate, foil or parchment allowing space for the air to circulate.
- Bake for 12-14 minutes in one or two batches depending on air fryer size.
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Michelle
This is a great recipe for a proper, traditional hot cross bun. The result was delicious, soft and not sickly sweet like shop bought. Definitely give these a try...
Reviewing: Hot Cross Buns
Elisabeth
I feel, I need to join in the praises of these Hot Cross Buns. I have found this recipe a few years ago being desperate to nurture the English part of my soul. I have had to stay abroad for a few years and there are hardly any English mainstays available in Germany. I tried other recipes for Hot Cross Buns before but found them all too sweet. These Hot Cross Buns are p e r f e c t and in season all year round. They always turn out perfect. I always keep a supply in the freezer. Thank you very much for them. Elisabeth
Reviewing: Hot Cross Buns
Sandy L
Absolutely amazing! I made these for the first time this morning, and I know these are going to become a household favourite. Recipe is very easy to follow/do, which was a real surprise. I did find that the mix was a little sticky throughout, so we had jagged shaped buns, but it really isn’t a problem, especially as they are so delicious . Thank you Doves Farm for making our tummies so happy!
Reviewing: Hot Cross Buns
sarah
Made these for my 8 yr old who is coeliac. The verdict -"yummmmmm!!" when they first came out of the oven and then "very tasty especially with apricot jam". That'll do for me. Shes giving it 5 stars.
Reviewing: Hot Cross Buns