Description
Forget the dry, bland grocery store versions. These homemade Cross Buns are incredibly soft, perfectly spiced, and topped with a signature honey-apricot glaze. Once you smell these baking in your kitchen, you’ll never go back to store-bought again!
Ingredients
Scale
- The Dough:
- 4 cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)
- 2 1/4 teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon fine sea salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 1 cup warm milk (110°F)
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted and cooled
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1/2 cup raisins or sultanas (substitute with chocolate chips for a twist)
- 1/4 cup mixed peels (optional)
- The Flour Cross:
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
- 5–6 tablespoons water
- The Sticky Glaze:
- 2 tablespoons apricot jam
- 1 teaspoon water
Instructions
- Activate the Yeast: Mix warm milk, 1 tablespoon sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 10 minutes until frothy.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: Whisk flour, remaining sugar, salt, and spices in a large bowl.
- Knead the Dough: Combine yeast mixture, butter, and egg with dry ingredients. Knead on a floured surface for 8-10 minutes until smooth and stretchy.
- Add Fruit & First Rise: Fold in raisins and peels. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot for 1 hour (until doubled in size).
- Shape the Buns: Punch down dough and divide into 12 equal balls. Arrange in a 3×4 grid on a parchment-lined tray.
- Second Rise & Crossing: Cover and rise for 45 minutes. Mix flour and water into a paste and pipe crosses over the buns.
- Bake: Bake at 375°F for 18-22 minutes until golden brown.
- Glaze: Microwave apricot jam and water for 20 seconds. Brush over hot buns immediately for a professional shine.
Notes
Make-Ahead Tip: Do the first rise in the refrigerator overnight to develop deeper flavor. Always ensure your milk is warm like bath water; if it’s too hot, it will kill the yeast. For extra softness, keep the buns close together on the tray so they pull apart after baking.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Bread/Baking
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: British-Inspired
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bun
- Calories: 240
- Sugar: 9g
- Sodium: 210mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 3g
- Carbohydrates: 42g
- Fiber: 2g
- Protein: 6g