Soft & Fluffy Hot Cross Buns Recipe
This soft & fluffy Hot Cross Buns recipe is a delicious way to celebrate Easter and share the good news! These perfectly spiced buns are studded with raisins and topped with a signature cross, making them a must-have for the season.
Ingredients
- 3/4 cup half and half, warmed to 110F
- 2 1/4 tsp. active dry yeast
- 1 tsp. granulated sugar
- 1/2 cup light or dark brown sugar
- 5 Tbsp. unsalted butter, softened to room temperature
- 1/2 tsp. vanilla
- 2 eggs
- 1 tsp. salt
- 1 1/4 tsp. ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp. ground nutmeg
- 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3/4 cup raisins, soaked in hot water for 10-15 minutes
Orange Glaze
- 1/2 cup powdered sugar
- 2 Tbsp. orange juice
Cream Cheese Icing
- 2 oz. cream cheese, softened
- 1 Tbsp. unsalted butter, softened
- 3/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 tsp. vanilla
- 1/2 Tbsp. half and half
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer whisk together warm half and half, sugar, and yeast. Cover and allow to sit for 5 minutes or until foamy on top.
- Add brown sugar, butter, vanilla, eggs, salt, cinnamon and nutmeg to mixer. Mix until combined.
- Add flour one cup at a time until just combined. Next add raisins to the stand mixer and continue mixing on medium until dough comes together and pulls away from the sides of the bowl. *Dough should be a little sticky and soft. If it's too sticky and not pulling away from the bowl, add an additional 1 Tbsp. flour at a time*
- Keep the dough in the mixer for an additional 5 minutes and allow the mixer to knead the dough.
- Transfer dough to a lightly oiled bowl and cover with saran wrap or a dish towel. Place in a warm area and allow dough to rise and double in size. TIP: Heat oven to 175F, once oven is at temperature, turn off and place bowl in the oven.
- Once dough has risen to double it's size, lightly grease a 9x13 baking pan. Punch down dough to release the air. Divide dough into 15 equal balls and shape into a round ball pinching dough at the bottom.
- Cover and place in a warm area for an additional hour for the second rise.
- Once risen, preheat oven to 350 degrees and bake for 20-22 minutes or until golden brown.
- While rolls are baking, whisk powdered sugar and orange juice in a small mixing bowl. Remove rolls from the oven, and brush orange glaze over warm rolls.
- In a small bowl whisk softened cream cheese, softened butter, powdered sugar, vanilla, and half and half until creamy and smooth. Add icing to a piping bag or Ziplock baggie and cut off the tip.
- Once rolls are completely cool, pipe down the center of each row and then across each row to create a cross on each bun. Serve warm and enjoy!
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!