Though the nursery rhyme is common, many Americans have never actually tasted a Hot Cross Bun. A yeast bun with dried fruit inside and a cross on top, this treat is a staple of the Easter season. Across much of the world, Hot Cross Buns are eaten on Good Friday (the Friday before Easter) to mark the end of the Lent Season. The recipe below is an easy way to make your own Hot Cross Buns this Easter.
¾ cup whole milk
1 packet (9/4 cups) yeast
1 teaspoon sugar
½ cup brown sugar
5 tablespoons unsalted butter
½ teaspoon vanilla
2 eggs
1 teaspoon salt
5/4 teaspoons cinnamon
½ teaspoon nutmeg
4 cups flour
1 cup raisins
6 tbsp water
1 cup powdered sugar
3 tablespoons orange juice
Mix whole milk, sugar, and yeast in a bowl. Then, let sit so the yeast foams. Add butter, brown sugar, vanilla, eggs, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and 1 cup of flour.
Mix for 30 seconds and then add 2.5 more cups of flour and the raisins, mixing again until it forms a dough. Knead and then let rise until it doubles in size.
Punch the dough and divide into ~15 pieces. Shape into smooth balls and let rise for ~1 hour. Mix ½ cup of flour and 6 tbsp of water together and spoon into a piping bag. Pipe crosses onto each ball of dough.
Bake at 350F for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Whisk the powdered sugar and orange juice to create a sweet icing and brush on rolls. Enjoy!