Recipe: Almond-Kissed Hot-Cross Buns
🕒 Cook Time: 20 minutes
🕒 Prep Time: 3 hours
🕒 Total Time: 3 hours 20 minutes
🥖 Recipe Category: Yeast Breads
🔍 Keywords: Breads, Kid Friendly, Weeknight, For Large Groups, Oven, < 4 Hours
🍽️ Servings: 40
🍽️ Yield: 40 buns
📝 Description: These buns, traditionally served on Good Friday, are good anytime! Slightly sweet with a hint of almond flavoring in the piped cross.
Ingredients:
| Quantity | Ingredient |
|---|---|
| 3/4 cup | golden raisin |
| 3/4 cup | sugar |
| 1/2 cup | shortening |
| 1 1/2 tsp | salt |
| 1/2 tsp | ground cinnamon |
| 2 | eggs |
| 1 | egg yolk |
| 6 – 6 1/2 | cups bread flour |
| 1 1/4 cups | warm water |
| 2 tsp | active dry yeast |
| 1/2 cup | butter |
| 2 cups | candied fruit |
| 1 | egg |
| 1/4 cup | water |
| 1 tsp | vanilla extract |
| 1/2 tsp | almond extract |
| 2 1/2 cups | all-purpose flour |
Instructions:
-
Prepare Raisins: Pour boiling water over raisins to cover. Let stand for 10 minutes; drain well.
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Mix Dough: In a large mixing bowl, beat sugar, shortening, salt, and cinnamon with an electric mixer. Beat in the 2 eggs and egg yolk. Add 2 1/4 cups of bread flour, the warm water, and yeast. Beat with an electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds, then on high speed for 3 minutes.
-
Incorporate Fruit: Using a wooden spoon, stir in candied fruit, drained raisins, and as much of the remaining bread flour as you can. Turn dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead in enough remaining flour to make a moderately stiff, smooth, and elastic dough (6 to 8 minutes). Shape into a ball.
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First Rise: Place dough in a greased bowl, turning to grease all surfaces. Cover and let rise until doubled (about 1 1/2 hours).
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Prepare Pans: Grease two 13×9-inch baking pans.
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Shape Buns: Punch dough down and divide into 4 portions. Divide each portion into 10 pieces. Shape each piece into a smooth ball. Arrange balls in pans, leaving a finger width between each.
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Second Rise: Cover and let rise again until almost doubled (about 1 hour).
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Make Cross Batter: In a small bowl, stir together butter and powdered sugar. Add the egg, 1/4 cup water, vanilla, and almond extract. Stir in 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour. Beat until smooth. Stir in the remaining all-purpose flour. Adjust consistency with water if needed for piping.
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Pipe Crosses: Spoon batter into a pastry bag fitted with a 1/4-inch round tip. Pipe a cross on each dough ball.
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Bake: Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake buns for 18 to 20 minutes or until golden brown.
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Serve: Enjoy your delicious Almond-Kissed Hot-Cross Buns warm or at room temperature. They’re perfect for sharing with family and friends!
These buns are a delightful treat, combining the warmth of homemade bread with the sweetness of raisins and the aromatic flavor of almond. Whether you serve them on Good Friday or any day of the year, they’re sure to be a hit with everyone at your table!
