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Hot Cross Bun Loaf

A beautiful hot cross bun loaf studded with raisins and swirl with cinnamon sugar!
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 35 minutes
Total Time 4 hours
Course breads, Breakfast, Dessert, Holidays & Special Occasions, Rolls & Buns
Servings 2 loaves

Ingredients
  

For the Bread

  • 4 tablespoons 2oz unsalted butter
  • 1 cup milk preferably whole
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 teaspoon cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon allspice
  • 1/8 teaspoon nutmeg
  • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 large eggs lightly beaten
  • 1 1/2 cups dried currants or raisins, or sultans
  • 1 heaping tablespoon finely grated orange zest

For the filling

  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter softened
  • 2/3 cup firmly packed light brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 whole egg beaten with 1 teaspoon water for egg wash

For the glaze

  • 1/2 cup powdered sugar
  • 1 teaspoon pure vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoon milk

Instructions
 

For the Bread

  • In a small saucepan, melt the butter over low heat. Add in the milk and sugar and continue to warm until the mixture reaches 110F (43C), about 3 minutes. Pour into the bowl of a stand mixer and sprinkle the yeast on top. Let stand until foamy, about 10 minutes.
  • In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cinnamon, allspice, nutmeg, and salt. Add it to the bowl with the yeast, and add the eggs, currants, and orange zest. Attach the dough hook, and knead on low speed for about 10 minutes. Shape the dough into a ball, and cover the bowl tightly with plastic wrap and let rise until doubled, about 1 1/2 hours.
  • While the dough is rising make the filling.
  • In a small bowl, stir together the softened butter, brown sugar, and cinnamon.
  • Butter two 9x5-inch loaf pans. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured work surface and divide the dough in half. Roll each half into an 8 1/2-inch square. Spread half of the filling onto the dough leaving a 1 1/2 inch border on one end of the dough (which will seal the log). Tightly roll up the dough, pinch the seam to seal, and place the the dough seam side down into the prepared pan. Repeat with other square. Let rise until puffy, about 1 1/2 hours.
  • Position the rack in the middle position and preheat oven to 350 degrees F. Brush the loaves with the egg wash. Bake until the loaves are golden brown and pull away frown the sides of the pan, about 30 to 35 minutes. Let cool in the pans for about 10 minutes and then turn out onto a wire rack to cool.

For the glaze

  • In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar vanilla, and milk. Drizzle over the cooled bread.

Notes

This dough can also be made into classic hot cross buns. Omit the filling and roll the dough into about 12 equal pieces and roll into a ball. Space the rolls about 2 inches apart on a parchment lined baking sheet. Let rise until doubled and brush with egg wash. Bake about 18 minutes until golden brown.
Keyword Sweet Breads