Mary Berry's Hot Cross Buns

Saturday 9 April 2022

Mary Berry's Hot Cross Buns 



One thing I really love at Easter is Hot Cross Buns.  They were a treat that we had every year on Good Friday when I was growing up and a firm Easter tradition in my family.



When I was a child my mother's sister Thelma would send our family some sweet Easter Breads every Easter.  They were delicious, a sweet dough, slathered with icing and topped with candied fruit. We looked forward to them every year.


Another Easter tradition which we all really enjoyed!


Mary Berry's Hot Cross Buns 




I have made Hot Cross Buns on here before. Nigel Slater's Hot Cross Buns, and they were excellent. They were not quite as soft as the buns you get in the shops, but they were very tasty and came with a lovely spiced and fruited butter for spreading.


I wanted to make some Hot Cross Buns this year to share with my sister, father and next door neighbor.  I wanted to try Mary Berry's Hot Cross Buns.  I am in love with Mary Berry's recipes. All of them are pretty fool proof and work well without exception.

 
Mary Berry's Hot Cross Buns 





One thing you will want to do is set aside a full day for making these delicious buns. There is no short cut to making good bread. 

They take a lot of time with the kneading and multiple risings, but I have to say this is a very easy recipe to make!  If I can make this recipe successfully, anyone can.

I am pretty yeast bread challenged!


Mary Berry's Hot Cross Buns 




I was very pleased with how these turned out.  They were spiced just right and filled with plenty of fruit and candied peel.

There is also the finely grated zest of one lemon in the dough, which adds even more lovely flavor!




Mary Berry's Hot Cross Buns 





WHAT YOU NEED TO MAKE MARY BERRY'S HOT CROSS BUNS

Simple ingredients that most of us have in our kitchens at all time. I have included a recipe to make your own mixed spice, which is a British baking spice used in a lot of British baked goods.


  • 3 2/3 cup (500g) strong white bread making flour
  • 1/3 cup (75g) fine granulated sugar
  • 2 tsp mixed spice (see notes)
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • the finely grated zest of one lemon
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 TBS (10g) quick acting yeast
  • 3 TBS (40g) butter, melted and cooled
  • 1 1/4 cups (300ml) milk, warmed to blood temperature
  • 1 large free range egg at room temperature, lightly beaten
  • 1 1/3 cups (200g) sultana raisins
  • 1/3 cup (generous) (50g) finely chopped mixed peel
  • oil for greasing
For the topping:
  • 1/2 cup (70g) plain flour
  • 2 3/4 fluid ounces (100ml) water
  • 2 TBS golden syrup for glazing (gently warm)



Mary Berry's Hot Cross Buns 




By bread flour I mean flour which has been especially milled from wheat with a higher protein content. Bread flour usually contains between 12 and 14% protein compared to an average of 8 to 11% in all purpose varieties. 


With a lower protein content, all purpose flour isn't able to create enough gluten to give the dough the light and elastic texture that you need to create good bread dough.  


In a pinch,  you can use all purpose flour to make bread with some additional vital wheat gluten. Adding vital wheat gluten to the all purpose flour provides the additional protein needed to create the ideal texture for your bread dough.


Mary Berry's Hot Cross Buns 





HOW TO MAKE MARY BERRY'S HOT CROSS BUNS


Other than being a bit time consuming (as any bread recipe is) these were very easy to make. Like I said you will need the better part of a day to make these but they will be more than worth it!



Whisk the flour, sugar, spices and lemon zest together in a large bowl. Add the salt and the yeast, placing them at opposite ends of the bowl.


Add the butter and half of the milk to the bowl, along with the egg. Use your hands to mix together, incorporating the flour from around the edges of the bowl as you go. Gradually add the remaining milk to form a soft pliable dough. You may not need it all.



Mary Berry's Hot Cross Buns 





Tip the dough onto a lightly floured work surface. Knead by hand, mixing in the raisins and peel as you go. Lightly knead for 10 minutes until you have a silky smooth, elastic dough. Shape into a ball and place into a lightly oiled bowl, turning to coat with oil. Cover the bowl with plastic cling film. Leave to rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 1/2 hours.


Tip out onto a lightly floured surface. Knock back and knead for a further 5 minutes. Reshape into a ball and return to the bowl. Recover the bowl with cling film and leave in a warm place until doubled in size once more, about 1 hour.


Tip the dough out onto a lightly floured surface again. Pat into a flat round about 8 inches wide and cut into 12 wedges using a pizza cutter or sharp knife. Shape each wedge into a ball.



Mary Berry's Hot Cross Buns 





Have ready a large baking sheet. Line it with baking paper. Place the balls of dough onto the baking sheet, placing them fairly close together and flattening them slightly.


Cover lightly with plastic cling film or place in a large clean food grade plastic bag, taking care that it doesn't touch the buns. Place into a warm place to rise for 40 to 60 minutes until the buns have doubled in size.


Mary Berry's Hot Cross Buns






Preheat the oven to 425F/220*C/gas mark 7.Whisk the flour together until you have a smooth paste with the water. Pop it into a piping bag with a small tip, or into a zip lock baggie that you can cut a corner from. 

Remove the plastic wrap/ bag from the buns and pipe the flour mixture onto the top of each bun in a cross.





Mary Berry's Hot Cross Buns 





Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, turning the sheet pan around halfway through the bake time. When done they should be a golden brown on the top and bottom.


Brush the top of each bun with some golden syrup to glaze while the buns are still quite warm. Leave to cool completely on a wire rack.


Mary Berry's Hot Cross Buns 




These buns have the traditional flour paste crosses piped onto them prior to baking rather than a glace icing cross. This is how I actually prefer them.  There is enough sweetness from the golden syrup glaze.


For those of us who have been raised in the Christian faith, Hot Cross Buns are anchored within the symbolism of Easter and the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. 


The cross represents the crucifixion of Christ on a Roman cross and the spices in the dough symbolize the spices the women used to embalm the body of Christ at his burial.


Whether you are a Christian or not, Hot Cross Buns are something we all enjoy at Easter time. I know they are pretty much available all year round now, but I prefer to keep to the tradition of only enjoying these lovely buns at Easter! It helps to keep them special!


Mary Berry's Hot Cross Buns




I thought you might like to see the texture of the interior of these buns.  As you can see they are lovely and light!  Perfect for toasting and spreading with butter!


I really hope you will be inspired to want to make these delicious Hot Cross Buns. You will not regret it. I guarantee!

Mary Berry's Hot Cross Buns

Mary Berry's Hot Cross Buns

Yield: 12
Author: Marie Rayner
Prep time: 20 MinCook time: 20 MinInactive time: 3 H & 30 MTotal time: 4 H & 10 M
Mary Berry's foolproof recipe for delicious Hot Cross Buns! Why not bake some for your family this Easter!

Ingredients

  • 3 2/3 cup (500g) strong white bread making flour
  • 1/3 cup (75g) fine granulated sugar
  • 2 tsp mixed spice (see notes)
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • the finely grated zest of one lemon
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 TBS (10g) quick acting yeast
  • 3 TBS (40g) butter, melted and cooled
  • 1 1/4 cups (300ml) milk, warmed to blood temperature
  • 1 large free range egg at room temperature, lightly beaten
  • 1 1/3 cups (200g) sultana raisins
  • 1/3 cup (generous) (50g) finely chopped mixed peel
  • oil for greasing
For the topping:
  • 1/2 cup (70g) plain flour
  • 2 3/4 fluid ounces (100ml) water
  • 2 TBS golden syrup for glazing (gently warm)

Instructions

  1. Whisk the flour, sugar, spices and lemon zest together in a large bowl. Add the salt and the yeast, placing them at opposite ends of the bowl.
  2. Add the butter and half of the milk to the bowl, along with the egg. Use your hands to mix together, incorporating the flour from around the edges of the bowl as you go. Gradually add the remaining milk to form a soft pliable dough. You may not need it all.
  3. Tip the dough onto a lightly floured work surface. Knead by hand, mixing in the raisins and peel as you go. Lightly knead for 10 minutes until you have a silky smooth, elastic dough. Shape into a ball and place into a lightly oiled bowl, turning to coat with oil. Cover the bowl with plastic cling film. Leave to rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 1/2 hours.
  4. Tip out onto a lightly floured surface. Knock back and knead for a further 5 minutes. Reshape into a ball and return to the bowl. Recover the bowl with cling film and leave in a warm place until doubled in size once more, about 1 hour.
  5. Tip the dough out onto a lightly floured surface again. Pat into a flat round about 8 inches wide and cut into 12 wedges using a pizza cutter or sharp knife. Shape each wedge into a ball.
  6. Have ready a large baking sheet. Line it with baking paper. Place the balls of dough onto the baking sheet, placing them fairly close together and flattening them slightly.
  7. Cover lightly with plastic cling film or place in a large clean food grade plastic bag, taking care that it doesn't touch the buns. Place into a warm place to rise for 40 to 60 minutes until the buns have doubled in size.
  8. Preheat the oven to 425F/220*C/gas mark 7.
  9. Whisk the flour together until you have a smooth paste with the water. Pop it into a piping bag with a small tip, or into a zip lock baggie that you can cut a corner from. Remove the plastic wrap/ bag from the buns and pipe the flour mixture onto the top of each bun in a cross.
  10. Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes, turning the sheet pan around halfway through the bake time. When done they should be a golden brown on the top and bottom.
  11. Brush the top of each bun with some golden syrup to glaze while the buns are still quite warm. Leave to cool completely on a wire rack.

Notes

You can make your own mixed baking spice: Combine 1 TBS ground cinnamon, 1 tsp each of ground coriander and nutmeg, 1/2 tsp of ground ginger, 1/4 tsp each of ground cloves and all spice. Mix well and store in an airtight container out of the light for up to 6 months.

Did you make this recipe?
Tag @marierayner5530 on instagram and hashtag it # TheEnglishKitchen


Mary Berry's Hot Cross Buns






This content (written and photography) is the sole property of The English Kitchen. Any reposting or misuse is not permitted. If you are reading this elsewhere, please know that it is stolen content and you may report it to me at: mariealicejoan at aol dot com 


 Thanks for visiting! Do come again! 


12 comments

  1. These are beautiful, Marie. I would need to go shopping first, though. But I do plan to make them. Thanks for sharing the recipe. Hugs, Elaine

    ReplyDelete
  2. Maybe I'll pass this one on to Rick. They look great!

    ReplyDelete
  3. If you wanted to make fruitless hot cross buns, would this recipe still work or would you need to alter it in some way? Thank you!

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. No need to alter it. Just leave out the fruit! I hope that you enjoy! xo

      Delete
  4. If you prefer a darker bun can you add brown sugar? Can you also add treacle?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. The recipe calls for fine white sugar, which is not as coarse as brown sugar. I would also not add treacle as it is a liquid and would upset the balance of ingredients. You can do what you like, but I would make the recipe as written.

      Delete
  5. Thank you so much for interpreting the original recipe for Canadian bakers! Super helpful. And thanks for the recipe for British mixed spice. I'm really looking forward to trying that out. I love hot cross buns too! - Erin

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. You are very welcome Erin! I hope that you enjoy the buns!
      ~Marie

      Delete
  6. Not sure what yeast to use. I have quick rise yeast which is added to the dry ingredients and the package says it only needs one rise period. And i have active dry yeast which is supposed to be dissolved in the warm liquid. Advice?

    ReplyDelete
    Replies
    1. Quick rise yeast that is added with the flour and other ingredients t’s as per the recipe instructions! I hope this helps!
      ~ Marie

      Delete
    2. Thanks for getting back to me. So.. quick rise yeast, but still do all the risings?

      Delete

Thanks for stopping by. I love to hear from you so do not be shy!


BEFORE LEAVING A COMMENT OR RATING, ASK YOURSELF:
Did you make the recipe as directed? Recipe results are not guaranteed when changes have been made.

Is this comment helpful to other readers? Rude or hateful comments will not be approved. Remember that this website is run by a real person.

Are you here to complain about ads? Please keep in mind that I develop these recipes and provide them to you for free. Advertising helps to defray my cost of doing so, and allows me to continue to post regular fresh content.

Thanks so much for your understanding! I appreciate you!