Delia Smith Hot Cross Buns Recipe

This Delia Smith Hot Cross Buns Recipe is a soft and spiced recipe, which calls for active dry yeast and plump raisins. It’s the perfect Easter treat, ready in about 4 hours (including rising time).

Delia Smith Hot Cross Buns Recipe Ingredients

Dough

• 3/4 cup (180ml) whole milk, warmed to about 110°F
• 2 and 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast or instant yeast (1 standard packet)
• 1 teaspoon granulated sugar
• 1/2 cup (100g) packed light or dark brown sugar
• 5 Tablespoons (71g) unsalted butter, softened to room temperature and cut into 5 pieces
• 1/2 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
• 2 large eggs, at room temperature
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 and 1/4 teaspoons ground cinnamon
• 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
• 3 and 1/2 cups (438g) all-purpose flour or bread flour (spooned & leveled)
• 1 cup (140g) raisins or currants

Flour Cross

• 1/2 cup (63g) all-purpose flour or bread flour
• 6–8 Tablespoons (90-120ml) water

Orange Icing

• 1 cup (120g) confectioners’ sugar
• 3 Tablespoons (45ml) fresh or bottled orange juice (or use milk and a splash of vanilla extract for plain icing)

How To Make Delia Smith Hot Cross Buns Recipe

1. Activate the yeast: Whisk the warm milk, yeast, and granulated sugar together in the bowl of your stand mixer. Cover and allow the mixture to sit for about 5 minutes or until foamy on top.
2. Mix the dough: Add the brown sugar, butter, vanilla extract, eggs, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and 1 cup of flour. Mix on low speed for 30 seconds. Add the remaining flour and raisins, beating until the dough comes together and pulls away from the sides (about 2 minutes).
3. Knead the dough: Knead on low speed (or by hand on a floured surface) for 5 full minutes. The dough should be soft, slightly tacky, and pass the “windowpane test.”
4. First Rise: Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot for 1-2 hours, or until doubled in size.
5. Shape the buns: Punch the dough down to release air. Divide into 14-16 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a smooth ball and arrange in a greased 9×13-inch baking pan.
6. Second Rise: Cover the shaped rolls and allow to rise again until puffy, about 1 hour. Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C).
7. Add the cross: Whisk the flour cross ingredients into a thick paste. Pipe a line down the center of each row of buns, then repeat in the other direction to create crosses.
8. Bake: Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
9. Glaze: Whisk the orange icing ingredients together. Brush or drizzle over the warm rolls immediately after taking them out of the oven.

Recipe Tips

• How to get fluffy buns: Do not add too much flour during kneading. The dough should remain slightly tacky (sticky to the touch but not sticking to your fingers). A dry dough yields a dense bun.
• Why use bread flour?: While all-purpose flour works perfectly fine, using bread flour has a higher protein content which develops more gluten, resulting in a slightly chewier, more traditional texture.
• How to speed up rising: If your kitchen is cold, turn your oven on to the lowest setting for 2 minutes, then turn it off. Place the covered bowl of dough inside the slightly warm oven to rise.
• Customizing the fruit: If you aren’t a fan of raisins, you can substitute equal parts dried cranberries, chopped dried apricots, or even chocolate chips. Soaking dried fruit in hot water for 10 minutes before adding them makes them extra juicy.

What To Serve With Delia Smith Hot Cross Buns Recipe

These spiced buns are traditionally served warm on Good Friday, but they are delicious any time of year.

• Salted butter (European style is best)
• Apricot or Strawberry Jam
• Clotted cream
• A hot cup of tea or coffee

How To Store Delia Smith Hot Cross Buns Recipe

• Room Temperature: Cover leftover rolls tightly and store at room temperature for 1-2 days.
• Refrigerate: Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 week. Reheat in the microwave for 15 seconds to soften.
• Freeze: You can freeze the baked buns (without icing preferably, but iced works too) for up to 3 months. Thaw at room temperature and reheat.

Delia Smith Hot Cross Buns Recipe Nutrition Facts

• Calories: 240
• Total Fat: 6g
• Saturated Fat: 3g
• Cholesterol: 45mg
• Sodium: 180mg
• Total Carbohydrates: 42g
• Dietary Fiber: 2g
• Sugar: 18g
• Protein: 5g

Nutrition information is estimated per bun and may vary based on ingredients used.

FAQs

Try More Recipes:

• Delia Smith Green Tomato Chutney Recipe
• Delia Smith Victoria Sponge​ Cake Recipe
• Delia Smith White Sauce​ Lasagne Recipe