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Why stick to the same old buns when you can add a little flair to your Easter baking? Whether you’re craving something citrusy and fragrant or bold and cheesy, these twists on the classic hot cross bun are here to steal the show! Spiced Orange Hot Cross Loaves bring a zesty, marmalade-kissed spin to tradition, perfect for toast-and-butter mornings. Or, if you're feeling adventurous, the Chilli Cheese Hot Cross Buns pack a punch with gooey cheddar, fiery chilli, and smoky paprika—a savory treat that’ll keep you coming back for more. Sweet or spicy, these buns are guaranteed to impress and might just start a new tradition!
Spiced Orange Hot Cross Loaves
Ingredients :
makes 2 loaves
Cooking notes:
makes 2 loaves
For the dough
- 275ml milk, warm (not hot)
- 7g fast-action dried yeast
- 2 tbsp caster sugar
- 325g bread flour or pizza flour
- 300g plain flour, plus extra to dust
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp fennel seeds
- 1/2 tsp cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp cardamom
- 1/4 tsp nutmeg
- 1 orange (Finely grated zest 1 large orange and juice ½)
- 160g candied orange peel
- 80g raisins or currants
- 2 free-range eggs
- 45g butter, softened
For the topping
- 1 egg
- 2 tbsp plain flour
- 2 tbsp icing sugar
- 2 tbsp milk
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 tbsp marmalade to glaze
Method
- Place milk, yeast and sugar in a bowl. Stir to dissolve and set aside for 10 minutes to activate (you will know it’s ready when the mixture becomes slightly frothy).
- Add flour, salt, spices and the eggs to the yeast mixture, then bring together with a wooden spoon or mix on a low speed until the mixture begins to come together into a slightly sticky dough.
- If making by hand, turn out the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead in the butter, piece by piece, until combined. If using a mixer, increase to medium speed and add the butter. Knead for 5-10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- Add zest of whole orange and juice from half the orange, candied orange peel and currants/raisins, knead until evenly incorporated.
- Lightly oil a large bowl. Place dough in bowl, cover and leave at room temperature for 1-2 hours or until the dough has doubled in size.
- Line two loaf tins. Turn out the dough onto a clean bench and divide into 6 equal portions. Place 3 balls, side by side, into each of the loaf tin. Cover and leave to prove for 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 180°C. For the topping, crack egg into a bowl and whisk with marmalade until well combined. In a separate bowl, add flour, icing sugar, milk and oil, whisk until smooth and thick then place in a piping bag.
- Brush the buns with egg mix and set aside for 5 minutes to dry. Pipe over the crosses, then brush with egg again. Place the loaves on the middle rack of your oven and bake for 30-40 minutes until golden and cooked through.
- Cool on a wire rack, then serve, fresh or toasted, with butter and marmalade.
- If you can't find bread or pizza flour, you can make this recipe with plain flour
- Instead of a stand mixer, we used a food processor with a plastic blade attachment to make the dough.
- If you don’t have a piping bag, use a sandwich bag and cut the tip off one corner.
Want to make this at home? We used Global Spices Fennel Seeds, Global Spices Ground Cinnamon, Oranges, Caputo Lievito Dry Yeast, Caputo Lievito Dry Yeast and Organic Times Organic Salted Butter from the Dinner Twist Marketplace.
Chilli Cheese Hot Cross Buns
Ingredients :
Cooking notes:
-
275ml milk, warm (not hot)
-
7g fast-action dried yeast
-
2 tbsp caster sugar
-
325g strong white bread flour
-
300g plain flour, plus extra to dust
-
1 tsp fine salt
-
¼ tsp freshly grated nutmeg
-
½-1 tsp chilli powder
-
¼ tsp sweet smoked paprika
-
¼ tsp garlic powder
-
½ tsp nigella seeds
-
2 free-range eggs
-
45g butter, softened
-
100g extra mature cheddar, finely crumbled
-
1-2 red chillies, deseeded and finely chopped
For the topping: - 1 egg
- 2 tbsp plain flour
- 2 tbsp icing sugar
- ¼ tsp sweet smoked paprika
- 2 tbsp milk
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
Method
- Place milk, yeast and sugar in a bowl. Stir to dissolve and set aside for 10 minutes to activate (you will know it’s ready when the mixture becomes slightly frothy).
- Add flour, salt, spices and the eggs to the yeast mixture, then bring together with a wooden spoon or mix on a low speed until the mixture begins to come together into a slightly sticky dough.
- If making by hand, turn out the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead in the butter, piece by piece, until combined. If using a mixer, increase to medium speed and add the butter. Knead for 5-10 minutes until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- Add the cheese and chillies, then knead until evenly incorporated.
- Lightly oil a large bowl. Place dough in bowl, cover and leave at room temperature for 1-2 hours or until the dough has doubled in size.
- Line an oven dish. Turn out the dough onto a clean bench and divide into 12 equal portions. Shape into buns and set 2cm apart in the oven dish. Cover and leave to prove for 1 hour.
- Preheat oven to 180°C. For the topping, crack egg into a bowl and whisk. In a separate bowl, add flour, icing sugar, paprika, milk and oil, whisk until smooth and thick then place in a piping bag.
- Brush the buns with egg mix and set aside for 5 minutes to dry. Pipe over the crosses, then brush with egg again. Place the loaves on the middle rack of your oven and bake for 30-40 minutes until golden and cooked through.
- Cool on a wire rack, then serve, fresh or toasted, with butter.
- You can add as much chilli as your heart desires! If you love the heat, increase the amount of chilli powder and fresh red chilli. Alternatively, reduce the heat by substituting chilli powder with smoked paprika and removing the seeds from the fresh chilli.
- Switch these up completely! Turn them into vegemite and cheese buns by removing the spices and adding 1/4 cup vegemite to the dough. Add 2 tsp vegemite to the cross topping.
Want to make this at home? We used Brunswick Dairy True Vintage Cheddar, Global Spices Smoked Paprika, Harvey Fresh Full-Cream Milk, Caputo Lievito Dry Yeast, Caputo Lievito Dry Yeast and Free Range Egss from the Dinner Twist Marketplace.
