Golden Apple Hot Cross Buns
Deliciously soft and spiced hot cross buns filled with juicy apples and topped with a sweet icing, perfect for any occasion.
Ingredients
Dough Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
- 1 packet active dry yeast (2 1/4 teaspoons) Ensure yeast is fresh
- 1 cup milk, warmed Should be warm but not hot
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs Room temperature
- 1 cup diced apples, peeled and cored
- 1/4 cup raisins or currants
- 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg
Icing
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar For icing
- 1 tablespoon milk For icing
Instructions
Prepare the Dough
- In a large bowl, combine flour, sugar, salt, and spices.
- In a separate bowl, whisk together yeast, warm milk, melted butter, and eggs until fully blended.
- Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing until combined. Stir gently until just incorporated.
- Fold in the diced apples and raisins delicately so as not to break the fruit.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic, adding more flour if needed.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it is doubled in size.
Bake the Buns
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Once risen, punch down the dough to release any air pockets and shape it into buns.
- Arrange them on a baking sheet lined with parchment and let them rise again for 30 minutes, covered lightly with a cloth.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes until they turn a beautiful golden brown and sound hollow when tapped.
Prepare the Icing
- Mix powdered sugar and 1 tablespoon of milk until smooth.
- Drizzle over the warm buns once they’ve cooled slightly.
Notes
For optimal freshness, store leftover buns in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 3 months. Reheat before serving.