Hot Cross Buns Citrus Glaze (Printable)

Soft, spiced buns with mixed dried fruit and a tangy citrus glaze for a bright, festive touch.

# What You Need:

→ Dough

01 - 4 cups bread flour
02 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
03 - 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
04 - 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
05 - 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice
06 - 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
07 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
08 - 1/2 cup whole milk, lukewarm
09 - 1/2 cup water, lukewarm
10 - 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
11 - 2 large eggs, room temperature
12 - 3/4 cup mixed dried fruit including currants, raisins, and chopped candied orange peel
13 - Zest of 1 orange
14 - Zest of 1 lemon

→ Cross Paste

15 - 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
16 - 3 to 4 tablespoons water

→ Citrus Glaze

17 - 1/2 cup powdered sugar
18 - 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed orange juice
19 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice

# Directions:

01 - In a large mixing bowl, combine bread flour, granulated sugar, instant yeast, ground cinnamon, ground allspice, ground nutmeg, and salt. Whisk together until evenly distributed.
02 - In a separate bowl, whisk together lukewarm whole milk, lukewarm water, melted unsalted butter, and room temperature eggs until fully combined.
03 - Pour the wet ingredient mixture into the dry ingredients bowl. Mix until a soft dough begins to form.
04 - Add the mixed dried fruit, orange zest, and lemon zest to the dough. Knead by hand or with a stand mixer for 8 to 10 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.
05 - Transfer the dough to a greased bowl and cover with a damp cloth. Let rise in a warm location for approximately 1 hour until the volume has doubled.
06 - Turn the risen dough onto a lightly floured work surface. Divide into 12 equal pieces and shape each piece into a tight ball. Arrange on a parchment-lined baking tray with slight spacing between each bun.
07 - Cover the shaped buns loosely and allow to rise for 30 minutes until they appear puffy. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees Fahrenheit during this period.
08 - Mix the cross paste ingredients together, combining all-purpose flour and water until a thick, pipeable consistency is achieved. Transfer to a piping bag or small zip-top bag with a corner snipped. Pipe a cross pattern over the surface of each bun.
09 - Bake for 20 to 25 minutes until the buns are golden brown and produce a hollow sound when tapped on the bottom.
10 - While the buns bake, combine powdered sugar, freshly squeezed orange juice, and lemon juice in a small bowl, stirring until smooth.
11 - Remove buns from the oven and immediately brush the surface of each with the citrus glaze using a pastry brush. Transfer to a wire rack to cool completely.

# Expert Tips:

01 -
  • The dough comes together quickly, and watching it rise is oddly satisfying and meditative.
  • That moment when you brush the warm glaze over fresh buns and it seeps into every crevice is pure kitchen magic.
  • They freeze beautifully, so you can have fresh-tasting buns ready whenever spring sneaks up on you.
02 -
  • Temperature matters—if your milk or water is too hot, it'll kill the yeast; if it's too cold, the dough will rise slowly and sluggishly.
  • Don't skip the glaze while the buns are warm; that's when it seeps in and becomes part of the bun rather than sitting on top.
  • Fresh zest is genuinely non-negotiable here; it's the difference between a good bun and one that tastes like spring.
03 -
  • Keep an instant-read thermometer nearby; milk should be around 110°F (43°C)—warm enough to feel comfortable on your inner wrist but not hot enough to scald.
  • If your zest clumps together, add it gradually and rub it between your fingers into the dough so it distributes evenly rather than clustering in one spot.
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