Easter just wouldn’t be the same without the comforting aroma of freshly baked Hot Cross Buns! This traditional recipe combines all the classic flavors with a focus on sustainability. By sourcing your ingredients from Wasteless Pantry, you can enjoy your Easter baking while reducing unnecessary packaging and waste.
Ingredients
- 4 cups plain flour
- 14g dried yeast
- 1/4 cup caster sugar
- 1 1/2 teaspoons mixed spice
- Pinch of salt
- 1 1/2 cups currants
- 40g butter
- 300ml milk
- 2 eggs, lightly beaten
For the Flour Paste
- 1/2 cup plain flour
- 4-5 tablespoons water
For the Glaze
- 1/3 cup water
- 2 tablespoons caster sugar
Method
- In a saucepan, gently warm the 40g of butter and 300ml of milk until the butter is melted. Set aside to cool slightly.
- In a large bowl, combine 4 cups of plain flour, 14g dried yeast, 1/4 cup caster sugar, 1 1/2 teaspoons mixed spice, a pinch of salt, and 1 1/2 cups of currants.
- Gradually add the melted butter and milk mixture along with 2 lightly beaten eggs. Stir until a dough forms.
- Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough into a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp tea towel, and set aside in a warm spot for 1-1.5 hours until the dough doubles in size.
- Punch down the dough and knead briefly (about 30 seconds). Divide the dough into 12 even portions and shape each into a ball. Place the buns 1cm apart on a greased baking tray. Cover again and leave to rise for 30 minutes until doubled in size.
- Preheat your oven to 170°C.
- For the flour paste, mix together 1/2 cup plain flour and 4-5 tablespoons of water to create a smooth paste. Pipe the paste over the buns to form crosses.
- Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until the buns are golden and cooked through.
- For the glaze, combine 1/3 cup water and 2 tablespoons caster sugar in a small saucepan. Heat gently, stirring until the sugar dissolves. Bring to a boil and let it simmer for 3-4 minutes. Brush the warm glaze over the hot cross buns as soon as they come out of the oven.
Enjoy your warm, freshly baked Hot Cross Buns! Serve them with butter or simply as they are—either way, they’re sure to be a hit.
The Benefits of Buying Ingredients from Wasteless Pantry
At Wasteless Pantry, we make it easy to bake without creating unnecessary waste. By refilling your containers with exactly the amount of flour, yeast, sugar, and spices you need, you can cut down on packaging waste. Plus, our bulk food options allow you to buy only what you need, which helps reduce food waste. Whether you’re picking up currants or stocking up on flour, you’ll find all the ingredients for this delicious recipe in-store.
With the right ingredients and a little preparation, you can make Easter extra special—and eco-friendly—this year.