I don't know about you but when I was a kid there was one type of hot cross buns. Ironically they were called hot cross buns. Now there are so many more varieties, and these ones are a delicious variation that I'm loving: lightly lemony fruit free hot cross buns.
Hot cross buns basically appear in the shops the second the Christmas stuff is packed up, and for good reason: these delicious little morsels are so good. Grab and go, they are great for breakfasts on the run, easy afternoon snacks and everything in between.
One of the best ways to make hot cross buns is to use a large square container. I've used a 30X30 cm cake tin to create these ones, it helps keep them all together and uniform. It also assures they have square sides, just like the ones in the shops.
These are a fun baking project to make with kids and are easy to make. Wait times for the rising aren't too bad either, so you can easily keep them entertained.
Why make them fruit free? Well, despite Master 6 loving sultanas...he won't eat them in baked goods. Does that even make sense? I don't think so, but that's his prerogative. Personally, I like the traditional ones, but these lightly lemony fruit free hot cross buns come in a close second.
If you're not keen on baking 24 of these, then halve the recipe, it's simple to do. I like to make 24 so that I've got some for the freezer. Because these are so delicious for afternoon tea, and super convenient if anyone pops around during the Easter period.
more hot cross bun options:
Lightly lemony fruit free hot cross buns
Ingredients
Buns
- 2 tbsps dried yeast
- 4 tbsps sugar I used raw, use whatever takes your fancy
- 400 mls body temp water
- juice of 2 lemons
- 1 tsps cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon mixed spice
- zest of two lemons
- 8 cups plain flour
- 150 grams butter- softened
- 1 cup milk
Crosses
- 2 tbsps raw caster sugar
- 1 cup plain flour
- 8 tbsps water
Glaze
- 2 tsps apricot jam
- 2 tsps water
Instructions
- In a jug mix the water, sugar and yeast.
- Allow to rest until frothy (about 5 minutes).
- Combine the cinnamon, mixed spice, lemon zest and flour in a bowl.
- Add the butter, lemon juice and milk to the yeast mixture and pour onto the flour.
- Using a dough hook on your mixer (or do it by hand), knead for 1 minute on low.
- Knead for 3 minutes on medium.
- Cover the bowl with a damp tea towel and set aside in a warm place for 30 minutes to rise.
- Divide the dough into 24 pieces and knead into balls, then pop into a greased and floured square baking tin (30cm by 30cm), just touching each other.
- Preheat oven to 180 degrees.
- Allow buns to rise 20 minutes more. on the bench
- Mix the flour, sugar and water to form a paste. Using a piping bag or a ziploc with the corner trimmed off, pipe each row of lines in one go.
- Bake at 180 degrees for 20 minutes or until golden.
- Remove from oven and leave in the tray.
- Warm the apricot jam with the water and use to glaze the tops of the buns.
- Serve with butter. These freeze well.
Suzie Jay says
I tried these and although they looked perfect they weren't nice. They weren't sweet at all and tasted more like a bread roll. There was also a slight bitterness that I couldn't put my finger on. Six of us tried them and no one liked them. Although the texture and everything was spot on the flavour just wasn't there. Might be nice with a lemon icing to sweeten it up a little (I should have tried that before I threw them out).
Kylie says
Hi Suzie, my kids love them like this, but they aren't used to super sweet things. I'm sorry you didn't enjoy them!
Kids Eat by Shanai says
What a great idea! My kids don't like sultanas, I never thought to just make them without fruit!
Sally says
This is a variation I have never thought of but now really want to try! I love anything with lemon so these really sound perfect.
Kylie says
Thanks Sally, I seem to be making all things lemon at the moment!
Jaimie @ Nosh says
My kids are going to love these! Thanks for the recipe, we will be trying this weekend!
Robyn says
These sound such a delicious alternative to fruit hot cross buns, and love that you can freeze some for later
Kylie says
I love being able to use the freezer- life saver!
Sylvie says
Glad to see I'm not the only one who likes sultanas, but hates to bake/cook with them! I love anything Lemon so these buns look absolutely perfect!!
Alexandra says
Love lemon flavour, especially in baked goods! This is a recipe I must try soon 🙂