Good Friday Hot Cross Buns

5 from 1 vote

Prep Time30

Cook Time30

Resting Time1 30

Total Time2 45

Servings: 12 buns

Combine the yeast with the warm milk, ensuring that the milk is not hot to the touch. Let rest until the yeast has bloomed, then add in the sugar, butter, eggs, spices, orange zest, and raisins. Begin sifting in the flour to the mixture one cup at a time until a dough forms. Then add more flour little by little until it is workable without sticking to your hands. Knead for five minutes, then cover and let rest until it has doubled in size, about one hour.
After the dough has doubled, grease a 9x11" pan and divide the dough into 12 pieces. Form each piece into a ball, rolling the sides under itself and rolling it in your hands to create some tension in the top of the ball. Place each in the pan, cover again, and let rise until nearly doubled again.
Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F and make the cross design over the buns by mixing together flour and water to form a thick paste. Transfer it to a plastic bag, snip the corner off, and pipe on the flour mixture over the buns.
Bake at 350 for 20-30 minutes until the tops are golden brown and the buns are cooked through.
Before removing from the oven, combine equal parts water and sugar, microwave it for 1-2 minutes until the sugar dissolves in the water. Immediately upon taking the buns out of the oven, pour the sugar water over the buns and allow them to soak up the syrup.
Serve and enjoy!