easy desserts & recipes: hot cross buns by emeril lagasse

Hot Cross Bun Recipe Food Photography Truthfully, we’d love to share some hot cross buns with you over a nice hot cup of coffee, but we are sure you will do the same with your family and friends. They are too good to not share! Traditionally these buns are served on Good Friday. But, there are a lot of people who shy away from yeasted breads. So we thought we’d offer you this recipe early so that you might practice. Frankly, we make these all year long as they are just a fantastic breakfast treat.
Hot Cross Buns adapted from (Emeril Lagasse) Ingredients 3/4 cup plus 2 tablespoons milk, divided 1 (1/4-ounce) package active dry yeast 1/2 teaspoon granulated sugar 3 3/4 cups all-purpose flour 1/4 cup light brown sugar 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1/4 teaspoon ground cloves 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1/2 teaspoon salt 1 1/2 teaspoon freshly grated orange zest 3 large eggs, divided 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened 1/2 cup raisins 2 teaspoons vegetable oil, for greasing a large bowl 1/2 cup powdered sugar Directions 1. Heat 3/4 cup milk until lukewarm. 2. Stir the yeast and the granulated sugar into the warm milk. Allow the mixture to stand 10 minutes until the yeast becomes foamy. 3. Combine the flour, brown sugar, and cinnamon, cloves, and allspice, nutmeg, salt and orange zest in the bowl of an electric mixer. Mix on low to combine. 4. Pour the milk and yeast mixture into the flour mixture, and beat on low to combine. With the mixer running, add 2 eggs, 1 at a time, mixing just until the yolks disappear. Add the softened butter and raisins and mix until the dough is smooth and elastic, about 4 minutes. 5. Place the dough in a lightly greased large bowl, turning the dough once to coat it with the oil from the bowl. Cover with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel and place in a warm place to rise for 1 1/2 hours, or until doubled in size. 6. Position an oven rack in the center of the oven, and preheat to 400 degrees F. 7. When the dough has risen, punch it down once and turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces and form each piece into a round ball. Place each dough ball evenly spaced onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. 8. Whisk together the remaining egg and 1 tablespoon milk in a small bowl. Using a pastry brush, paint the tops of each roll with the egg mixture, reserving the remaining egg wash. 9. Place a clean kitchen towel over the tops of the rolls and put in a warm place to rise, about 30 minutes. 10. Remove the kitchen towel and brush the tops of the rolls again with the reserved egg wash mixture. Bake until golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes. 11. Remove the baking sheet from the oven. Allow rolls to cool completely. 12. Combine the powdered sugar and remaining tablespoon of milk. Place the sugar glaze in a pastry bag with a small tip. 13. When the rolls have cooled, pipe a cross over the tops of each roll using the sugar glaze.
Photography Data: Guest Photography Gordon Bell ApertureFNumber: f/18.0 Make: Canon Model: Canon EOS 5D Mark II ExposureTime: 1/100 FNumber: 18/1 ExposureProgram: 1 ISOSpeedRatings: 100 MaxApertureValue: 3/1 MeteringMode: 5 Flash: 16 FocalLength: 100/1
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18 comments

  • March 3, 2012 at 7:14 pm //

    what gorgeous pics n the buns..oh my id like to eat one right away

    • March 4, 2012 at 10:13 am //

      These were our favorite growing up, thank you so much for commenting Nisha = )

  • March 4, 2012 at 10:33 am //

    The buns look amazing, wonderful photos!

    • March 4, 2012 at 12:43 pm //

      Thank you Ambika =)

  • March 4, 2012 at 12:29 pm //

    These are big in the Caribbean during the Easter Season. These bring back memories. Yours look soooo delicious and pretty. Lovely photos.

    • March 4, 2012 at 12:43 pm //

      Thank you so much Simply Tia =)

  • March 4, 2012 at 7:08 pm //

    Yum these look great, love the photo!

    • March 5, 2012 at 5:36 pm //

      Thank you for commenting Natasha.

  • March 5, 2012 at 6:52 pm //

    I love emril’s recipes and this one is no exception. the buns look perfect.

    • March 5, 2012 at 8:45 pm //

      Emeril is the best! Thank you so much for commenting.

  • March 6, 2012 at 12:52 am //

    WOW! These look amazing. Now the “Hot Cross Buns” song on the recorder will be stuck in my head all day!

    • March 6, 2012 at 7:52 am //

      Have not hear that song in ages, brings back the kinder years, thank you so much for commenting Beth.

  • March 6, 2012 at 2:49 am //

    I love these! Never made them – I don’t know why, because they’re not all that difficult. Nice post – thanks.

    • March 6, 2012 at 7:46 am //

      Don’t you just love sweet yeasted breads? I can’t believe Easter is just around the corner (a month away) but it feels so close. Thank you so much for commenting.

  • March 6, 2012 at 7:54 am //

    Oooh, never had crossed buns like this! Looks very interesting and elegant :)

    • March 7, 2012 at 8:39 pm //

      Thank you Kiri!

  • March 17, 2012 at 12:40 am //

    Oh these buns are absolutely gorgeous!

  • August 29, 2012 at 7:47 am //

    Call your local Ky. Fried Chicken ahead of time and have them cook for 35 people:Chicken,Coleslaw,Potato salad.OR ask your grcorey store’s deli department to cook enough fried chicken, coleslaw, and potato salad for 35 people.The deli also makes party trays that are very pretty and delicious. They have a booklet that you can choose what you want them to make for you. This needs to be done a day or so ahead of time.You can now buy tea by the gallon. It is very good, we buy it all the time. Make it easy on your mom and on yourself. Have a great day and Happy Birthday to you.