Hot Cross Buns Orange Glaze (Printable)

Soft spiced buns studded with raisins, finished with a fragrant orange glaze for a flavorful treat.

# Ingredient List:

→ Dough

01 - 4 cups bread flour
02 - 1/3 cup granulated sugar
03 - 2 tsp instant dry yeast
04 - 1 tsp ground cinnamon
05 - 1/2 tsp ground allspice
06 - 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
07 - 1/2 tsp salt
08 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
09 - 1 cup whole milk, lukewarm
10 - 2 large eggs
11 - 1 cup raisins
12 - Zest of 1 large orange

→ Cross Paste

13 - 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
14 - 1/4 cup water

→ Orange Glaze

15 - 3/4 cup powdered sugar
16 - 2 tbsp fresh orange juice
17 - 1/2 tsp orange zest

# How to Make:

01 - Combine bread flour, sugar, yeast, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, and salt in a large mixing bowl.
02 - Add softened butter and rub into dry ingredients with fingertips until mixture resembles fine crumbs.
03 - Whisk milk and eggs together in separate bowl. Pour into flour mixture and stir to form soft dough.
04 - Knead dough by hand or with stand mixer using dough hook for 8 to 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
05 - Work raisins and orange zest into dough, kneading until evenly distributed throughout.
06 - Place dough in lightly greased bowl, cover, and let rise in warm place for 1 hour until doubled in size.
07 - Punch down dough and divide into 12 equal pieces. Shape each into smooth ball and place on parchment-lined baking tray with space between.
08 - Cover loosely with plastic wrap and let rise 30 to 40 minutes until puffy.
09 - Preheat oven to 375°F.
10 - Mix flour and water to form thick, pipeable paste. Transfer to piping bag.
11 - Pipe cross pattern over each bun using prepared paste.
12 - Bake for 22 to 25 minutes until golden brown.
13 - While buns bake, whisk powdered sugar, orange juice, and zest until smooth.
14 - Brush hot buns with orange glaze immediately after removing from oven. Cool slightly before serving.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The orange glaze adds this bright, fragrant finish that makes these buns feel special and modern while keeping all the comforting spices you remember from childhood
  • They're surprisingly forgiving, even if you're new to yeast doughs, and the smell of them baking will make your entire home feel like a warm embrace
02 -
  • The dough should feel slightly tacky after kneading, not dry or floury, because too much flour will make your buns dense instead of light and fluffy
  • If your kitchen runs cool, find the warmest spot in your house for rising, perhaps near a preheating oven or on top of the refrigerator, because cold drafts can significantly slow down yeast activity
  • Pipe the crosses gently and steadily, starting just off the edge of each bun rather than in the center, because the paste will spread slightly as it bakes and you want clean cross lines
03 -
  • If your crosses bake into the bread and lose definition, your oven might be running too hot, so try reducing it by 10 degrees or baking on the center rack
  • Soaking the raisins in warm orange juice for 30 minutes before adding them to the dough makes them plump and incredibly juicy

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