Enjoy the delightful taste of homemade Easy Hot Cross Buns, perfect for any occasion and made with simple ingredients.

Scale

1/2 cup warm water

1/2 cup warm milk

1/2 cup plus 1 tbsp light brown sugar

4 tsp active dried yeast

1/3 cup 75g butter melted

1 egg

1 tsp salt

4 cups bread flour or plain flour

1 tbsp mixed spice or pumpkin pie spice

1 tbsp cinnamon

1 tsp vanilla extract

1 cup sultanas or mixed fruit

In a large bowl, combine warm water, warm milk, and 1 tablespoon of brown sugar. Sprinkle the yeast on top and let it sit for about 5 minutes until frothy.
Add melted butter, egg, salt, the remaining brown sugar, mixed spice, cinnamon, and vanilla extract to the yeast mixture. Mix well.
Gradually add the flour, mixing until a dough forms. Stir in the sultanas or mixed fruit.
Knead the dough for about 10 minutes until smooth. Place it in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Punch down the dough and divide it into 12 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a bun and place them in a greased baking dish.
Cover the buns and let them rise for 30 minutes. Bake for 20-25 minutes until golden brown.
Remove from the oven and let cool slightly before icing if desired, and serve warm.

For a traditional touch, consider adding a cross on top using a simple icing made from powdered sugar and milk.

Keywords: Easy Hot Cross Buns, homemade buns, Easter recipe, baked goods, soft buns