Hot Cross Buns Recipe: Based on NeemTime research
Ingredients of Hot Cross Buns Recipe (Homemade Only, No Packaged Items)
2 cups all-purpose flour (home-milled wheat flour)
1 tablespoon homemade active dry yeast (or sourdough starter)
1/2 cup warm milk (freshly boiled and cooled)
1/4 cup homemade sugar (ground from raw sugarcane or jaggery)
2 tablespoons homemade butter or ghee
1 large egg (farm fresh)
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (home-ground)
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg (home-ground)
1/2 cup dried fruits (home-dried raisins, currants, or chopped dates)
1 tablespoon orange zest (freshly grated)
For Cross Icing:
1/2 cup all-purpose flour (home-milled)
About 1/3 cup water (adjust to make thick paste)
Detailed Preparation Guide of Hot Cross Buns Recipe
Step 1: Activate Yeast (10 min)
Mix yeast, warm milk, and 1 teaspoon sugar. Let sit until frothy (~10 minutes).
Calories: ~15 kcal
Step 2: Make Dough (15 min)
In a large bowl, mix flour, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and sugar.
Add yeast mixture, beaten egg, and melted butter. Mix and knead for 8-10 minutes until smooth dough forms.
Fold in dried fruits and orange zest.
Calories: ~600 kcal (flour, butter, sugar, egg, fruits)
Step 3: First Rise (1 hour)
Cover dough and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size.
Calories: 0 kcal (resting)
Step 4: Shape Buns (10 min)
Punch dough down, divide into 12 equal pieces. Shape into buns.
Place buns on greased tray, cover, and let rise for 30 minutes.
Calories: 0 kcal
Step 5: Prepare Cross Paste (5 min)
Mix flour and water to make a thick paste. Transfer to a piping bag or plastic bag with tip cut.
Calories: ~50 kcal
Step 6: Pipe Crosses and Bake (20-25 min)
Preheat oven to 190°C (375°F). Pipe crosses on buns.
Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
Calories: 0 kcal
Step 7: Glaze (Optional – 5 min)
Brush buns with warm homemade sugar syrup (boil equal parts sugar and water).
Calories: ~50 kcal
Total Preparation Time & Total Calories per Person
⏱ Total Time: ~2 hours 45 minutes (including rising and baking)
🔥 Total Calories (Approx):
Step 1: 15 kcal
Step 2: 600 kcal
Step 3 & 4: 0 kcal
Step 5: 50 kcal
Step 6 & 7: 50 kcal
Total per batch: ~715 kcal × 4 = 2860 kcal
Calories per person (3 buns each): ~715 kcal