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Hot Cross Cinnamon Buns Recipe

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4 from 12 reviews

  • Author: Sara
  • Total Time: 2 hours 55 minutes
  • Yield: 12 servings
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

These Hot Cross Cinnamon Buns are a delightful twist on the traditional hot cross buns, featuring a soft, fluffy dough filled with a cinnamon-sugar mixture and mixed dried fruit. Topped with a cream cheese cinnamon frosting piped in the signature cross pattern, these buns are perfect for a cozy breakfast or teatime treat.

Ingredients

Dough

  • 150 ml (½ cup + 2 tbsp) whole milk, lukewarm
  • 25 g (2 tbsp) caster sugar
  • 1.5 tsp dried active yeast
  • 500 g (3 ½ cups + 1 tbsp) strong white bread flour
  • 0.5 tsp salt
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 0.75 tsp nutmeg
  • 0.5 tsp cloves
  • 75 g (¼ cup + 1 tbsp) unsalted butter, cubed
  • 150 g (½ cup + 2 tbsp) thick yogurt (Greek)
  • 1 orange, zest only
  • 150 g (1 cup + 1 tbsp) mixed dried fruit

Filling

  • 50 g (3 tbsp + 2 tsp) unsalted butter, softened
  • 75 g (¼ cup + 2 tbsp) dark brown sugar
  • 2 tsp cinnamon
  • 50 g (¼ cup + 2 tbsp) mixed dried fruit

Frosting

  • 60 g (¼ cup) cream cheese
  • 3 tbsp icing (powdered) sugar

Instructions

  1. Activate the yeast: Mix the lukewarm milk, yeast, and caster sugar in a jug. Set aside in a warm place for about 20 minutes until the surface is covered with froth. Whisk again and use immediately.
  2. Prepare the dry ingredients: In a large bowl, mix together the bread flour, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. Add the cubed butter and rub into the flour mixture until it resembles breadcrumbs with no large clumps remaining.
  3. Form the dough: Make a well in the dry ingredients. Pour in the frothy milk mixture, yogurt, and orange zest. Gradually incorporate the flour into the wet ingredients, bringing the mixture together into a ball.
  4. Knead the dough: Knead the dough using a stand mixer or by hand until soft and smooth — about 5-10 minutes with a mixer, 10-15 minutes by hand. Shape into a smooth ball.
  5. First proof: Lightly dust a large bowl with flour. Place the dough ball inside, cover with cling film, and leave in a warm place until doubled in size, approximately 40 minutes to 2 hours depending on temperature.
  6. Prepare the filling: Soften the butter for spreading. In a separate bowl, combine the dark brown sugar and cinnamon.
  7. Roll out the dough: Once doubled, punch down the dough and knead briefly to smooth it. Dust a work surface with flour and roll the dough into a rectangle about 1.5 cm thick.
  8. Add filling: Spread softened butter evenly over the rolled dough. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar mixture evenly over the butter and scatter the mixed dried fruit on top.
  9. Shape the rolls: Starting from one long side, roll the dough tightly into a spiral log. Rest the log seam side down and press the two ends toward the center. Using floss, cut the log into twelve equal spirals by halving it, then quartering, then slicing each quarter into three.
  10. Second proof: Place the twelve spirals into an oven-safe dish, spiral side up. Cover loosely with a tea towel and leave to rise until doubled in size.
  11. Preheat the oven: Once the rolls have doubled again, preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Optional: brush the rolls with beaten egg for a shiny golden finish.
  12. Bake the rolls: Bake the cinnamon rolls for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
  13. Prepare the frosting: While rolls bake, mix cream cheese and icing sugar in a bowl until smooth. Spoon the frosting into a piping bag and snip a small hole at the end.
  14. Pipe the crosses: Allow the rolls to cool completely. Pipe a line of frosting down the middle of each roll, then pipe across to form the traditional hot cross bun cross.
  15. Serve and enjoy: Serve fresh for the best taste and texture.

Notes

  • Use lukewarm milk to properly activate the yeast; too hot can kill the yeast.
  • Adjust proving time as needed depending on the temperature of your environment.
  • The orange zest adds a subtle citrus aroma – do not omit.
  • Using floss to cut the rolls ensures clean edges and prevents squashing.
  • Brushing with beaten egg before baking is optional but gives a golden sheen.
  • Allow rolls to cool fully before piping frosting to prevent melting.
  • Prep Time: 40 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Breakfast, Brunch, Snack
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: British

Find it online: https://sarabaking.com/hot-cross-cinnamon-buns-recipe/