Cranberry Orange Hot Cross Buns

Don’t worry, I have no such medical analogy or educational tidbit on febrile gluteal folds to share with this special Sourdough Surprises edition post on hot crossed buns, though, I was tempted. I am keeping my off-color humor in check as we commemorate the resurrection of our Lord, how’s that? In fact, the cross on these sweet rolls is a beautiful Lenten tradition, even if the interpretation of the cross over the years has been confounded with strange and delicious superstition. For example, it is said that hot cross buns made on Good Friday never spoil. Or, if one were to hang these buns in the kitchen, they bear the power to ensure that all breads baked on their watch shall rise. So it seems that hot cross buns are vying to be the patron saint, or perhaps icon, of all bread?

Bread is a glorious totem for resurrection—but then again, so is sourdough. Risen, indeed, but really, always rising.

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Cranberry Orange Hot Cross Buns

Adapted from The River Cottage Bread Handbook

4 cups white bread flour, plus extra for dusting

1/2 cup warm water

1/2 cup warm milk

1 cup sourdough starter

2/3 cup dried cranberries

Finely grated zest of 1/2 orange

1/4 heaping teaspoon each of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice

2 teaspoons fine salt

3 1/2 tablespoons superfine sugar

1 medium free-range egg

3 1/2 tablespoons butter

Cross paste

6 tablespoons all-purpose white flour

7 tablespoons water

Glaze

1 tablespoon ginger (or other) jam

1 tablespoon water

If you have a stand mixer, combine the flours, water, milk, yeast, salt, and sugar in the bowl and fit the dough hook. Add the egg and butter and mix to a sticky dough.

Add the dried fruit, orange zest, and spices and knead on low speed until silky and smooth. (You can do this by hand, but it will be sticky to handle.) Cover the dough and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, until doubled in size.

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Deflate the risen dough and divide into 8 equal pieces. Shape into rounds and dust with flour. Place on a floured board, cover with plastic wrap or linen, and let proof for about 30 minutes, until roughly doubled in size.

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Preheat the oven to 400°F. To make the crosses, whisk together the flour and water until smooth, then transfer to a pastry bag and snip off the end to make a fine hole (or use a plastic food bag with a corner snipped off, as I do). Transfer the risen buns to a baking sheet and pipe a cross on top of each one, then bake for 15 to 20 minutes.

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Meanwhile, melt the ginger jam (this stuff is SO good, total impulse buy at the health food store, and SO worth it) with the water in a pan. Brush over the buns to glaze as you take them from the oven. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Serve warm, cold, or toasted.

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One a penny? I could probably sell these for 10 bucks a piece. Marvelous. These are the Easter eggs of the banqueting table—an absolute find.

As an aside, I love it when the weather cooperates with the imagery of resurrection Sunday. Early this morning, the clouds over Rochester were darkened like the church after the candles have been snuffed out—and slowly, as I have been sitting here with my coffee, watching and waiting, the clouds are literally breaking with light.

Arise, fair Sun.

21 thoughts on “Cranberry Orange Hot Cross Buns

    1. Thank you to the queen of ginger! You would really love this Ginger People product, methinks.

    1. I’ve never had so many complements in one day on my buns. This is stupendous.

    1. Oh man, I have no idea what that acronym stands for. Most Tremendous Doctor of DIY Bread? And, I don’t think anything will change your buns.

  1. So I am going to ignore your buns (sorry) and focus on that ginger spread. Where can I find this? I am salivating just thinking about it. Oh the buns – they look great!

    1. The brand is Ginger People. I got it at my local co-op, but I see that you can get it online if you can’t find in your usual places– https://gingerpeople.com/ Also tastes great on stir fry broccoli!!!

  2. I first read this post of yours on Easter Day, when I’d arrived at the same thought about the skies in Northern Minnesota that day reflecting the light of Easter breaking through the dark clouds and events of preceding days. This recipe looks like a keeper, and you’ve given me a new ginger gift idea for the many ginger lovers in my life!

    1. How lovely, Susan! Of course we kindred spirits would be of one mind…

      1. I agree my dear, it is so lovely that we had the same thoughts that Easter morning. Now if only we’d also had the same hot cross buns too! 😉

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