Secret Recipes

Maple and Cranberry Hot Cross Buns Recipe

recipe box
  • 5 tsp yeast
  • 1/4 cup warm water
  • 1 cup warm milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter - melted and cooled to warm
  • 3/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup pure maple syrup
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 2 eggs
  • 3 to 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp nutmeg
  • 1/2 tsp allspice
  • 1/4 tsp cloves
  • 1/2 cup plumped dried sour cherries
  • 1/2 cup plumped dried cranberries
  • 1 Tbsp orange zest, finely minced

    • Glaze

  • 2 cups confectioner's sugar
  • orange juice as required
  • water as required

In a large bowl or bowl of an electric mixer fitted with a dough hook, hand whisk together the yeast and water and let stand 2 minutes. Stir in the milk, butter, sugar, maple syrup, vanilla, and salt to dissolve. Whisk in eggs. Add most of white flour, whole wheat flour, spices , and orange zest and mix by hand to make a soft dough. When dough can no longer be mixed by hand, begin kneading (5 to 7 minutes by hand or using a dough hook on an electric mixer), dusting in more all-purpose flour if needed. Let dough rest for 15 minutes. Knead in dried cranberries and cherries. Shape dough into a ball and let rest, covered with a tea towel for about 20 minutes.

Divide into 12 pieces and shape into balls. You may also roll dough out and cut into 3-inch rounds (about 1/2 inch thick).

Place buns on a lightly-greased baking sheet about one inch apart. Using floured scissors, snip a cross on the top of each bun (about 1/2 inch deep). Paint with egg wash. Let rest for about 25 minutes or until buns look puffy and light.

Preheat oven to 375° F. Place buns in oven and reduce heat to 350 F. Bake for 17-20 minutes until the tops are golden brown. Remove from the oven and transfer to a rack. When cool, apply fondant.

Fondant: In one small bowl, mix orange juice and 1 1/2 cup of confectioner's sugar to make a spreadable glaze.

In a second bowl, mix 1/2 cup of confectioner's with water to make a white glaze. Smear each bun with orange glaze. Allow to set, then drizzle on some white glaze. Allow to set.

Servings:
12 buns