🍲 Recipes

Chef John's Hot Cross Buns

By Chef John • Roll and Bun Recipes • Cuisine?
4.83 Prep: 30m Cook: 15m
Ingredients:
  • ¼ cup dried currants
  • ¼ cup rum, or as needed to cover currants
  • ¾ cup milk, warmed to 100 degrees F/40 degrees C
  • 3 cups bread flour, divided, or as needed
  • 1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
  • 5 tablespoons white sugar
  • 1 large egg, beaten
  • 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
  • 1 tablespoon grated orange zest
  • ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon fine salt
  • ½ teaspoon ground cardamom
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • 7 tablespoons melted butter
  • ¼ cup water
  • ⅓ cup all-purpose flour, or as needed to make thin, pipe-able dough
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 3 tablespoons water
Created: Sep 23, 2025 Updated: Sep 23, 2025