Guyanese cross buns are a traditional sweet bread typically served during the Easter holiday season. They are made with a variety of ingredients and are a staple in Guyanese cuisine. These buns are enjoyed by people of all ages and are typically enjoyed as a breakfast or dessert item and often served with butter, cheese or jam.
- Publisher: Pithy Recipe
- Cuisine: Guyanese
- Category: Dessert, Snacks
- Prep Time:
- Cook Time:
- Servings: 6
Guyanese Cross Buns
Guyanese cross buns, also known as “hot cross buns” are a traditional sweet bread typically served during the Easter holiday season.
They are made with a variety of ingredients such as flour, sugar, yeast, butter, eggs, and spices such as nutmeg and cinnamon. The dough is then shaped into buns, and a cross is cut into the top of the bun before baking.
These Guyanese cross buns are traditionally decorated with a sugar glaze, which gives them a sweet and slightly crispy exterior. The cross buns are typically enjoyed as a breakfast or dessert item, and are often served with butter, cheese or jam.
Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tsp active dry yeast
- 1/2 cup granulated sugar
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter, room temperature
- 1/2 cup whole milk, warmed
- 2 large eggs
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1/4 cup raisins (optional)
- 1 egg yolk mixed with 1 tsp water, for egg wash
Method Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, yeast, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt. Mix well to combine.
- In a separate bowl, beat the butter, milk, eggs, and vanilla extract together until well combined.
- Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until a dough forms. Knead the dough for about 8-10 minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- If desired, add the raisins to the dough and knead them in until evenly distributed.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Grease a baking sheet.
- Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces and shape each piece into a bun. Place the buns on the prepared baking sheet.
- Make a cross on top of each bun with a sharp knife or kitchen shears.
- Brush the buns with the egg wash.
- Bake the buns for about 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Remove from the oven and let them cool before serving.
- Enjoy your traditional Guyanese cross buns! You can serve them with butter, cheese or jam.
Recipe Video
Guyanese Cross Buns
This is a video about Guyanese Cross Buns.
Video Credits: CANDY THE GLAM COOK
Rated: 4.8 of 5.0 from 4 reviews.
Recipe Tags: Guyanese Cross Buns, Recipe For Guyanese Cross Buns, Guyanese Cross Buns Recipe
Servings
- Topped with butter: Slice the bun in half and spread butter over the cut side. This will give the bun a creamy, rich flavor and a soft texture.
- With cheese: Serve the bun with a slice of cheese on top, this adds a nice savory contrast to the sweet bun.
- As a breakfast sandwich: Slice the bun in half and fill it with your favorite breakfast sandwich ingredients such as scrambled eggs, bacon or ham.
- With jam or jelly: Spread your favorite jam or jelly over the bun for a sweet and tangy flavor.
- As a dessert: Serve the bun warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or whipped cream for a sweet and satisfying dessert.
- Enjoy them plain: Guyanese cross buns are delicious enough to be enjoyed plain, without any additional toppings or fillings.
- You can also get creative with your serving ideas and try serving them with different toppings or fillings to suit your taste.
Overall, Guyanese cross buns are versatile and can be enjoyed in a variety of ways. They are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as a sweet treat any time of the day.
Tips
- Use good ingredients: Using good quality ingredients will ensure that your buns have a rich, full flavor.
- Proof your yeast: Before adding the yeast to the flour mixture, it is important to proof it first to make sure it’s still active. Simply mix the yeast with warm milk and a pinch of sugar and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes. If it starts to foam, it is active and ready to use.
- Knead the dough properly: Kneading the dough for the right amount of time is crucial for developing the gluten in the flour, which will give your buns a light, fluffy texture. Keep kneading the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- Let the dough rise: After kneading, let the dough rise in a warm place until it has doubled in size. This will help the buns to rise and give them a nice, fluffy texture.
- Be gentle when shaping the buns: When shaping the buns, be gentle so as not to deflate the dough.
- Brush the buns with an egg wash: This will give the buns a nice golden color and a shiny, glossy finish.
- Don’t over bake: Keep an eye on the buns while they are in the oven, and take them out as soon as they are golden brown. Over baking will make the buns dry and tough.
- Let the buns cool down before serving: Let the buns cool down for a few minutes before serving, as they will be easier to handle and the texture will be better.
Storage
Guyanese cross buns are best enjoyed when fresh, but can be stored and reheated for future enjoyment. Properly storing them will ensure that they retain their flavor and texture for as long as possible.
It can be stored at room temperature in an airtight container or plastic bag for up to 3 days. This will help to keep them fresh and moist.
Furthermore, if you want to store the buns for a longer period of time, you can freeze them. Wrap them in plastic wrap or aluminum foil, and then place them in a resealable plastic freezer bag. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
Ingredient Substitutes
- Flour: All-purpose flour is typically used for this recipe, but you can also use bread flour for a slightly chewier texture.
- Sugar: Granulated sugar is typically used, but you can also use brown sugar for a richer flavor.
- Yeast: Active dry yeast is typically used, but you can also use instant yeast. If you don’t have any yeast, you can use baking powder as a substitute, but the texture will be different.
- Milk: Whole milk is typically used, but you can also use other types of milk such as skim or almond milk.
- Eggs: Large eggs are typically used, but you can also use medium or extra-large eggs. If you’re vegetarian or vegan you can use flax eggs or chia eggs as a substitute.
- Butter: Unsalted butter is typically used, but you can also use salted butter or vegan butter.
- Spices: Nutmeg and cinnamon are typically used, but you can also add other spices such as allspice or ginger for a different flavor.
- Egg wash: An egg wash is typically used for a nice golden color and a shiny, glossy finish, but you can also use milk or butter for a similar effect.
By using these ingredients and substitutes, you’ll be able to make delicious and fluffy Guyanese cross buns that will be enjoyed by all. Keep in mind that some substitutions may change the final outcome of the recipe.
Remarks
In conclusion, Guyanese cross buns are a delicious and traditional sweet bread that is enjoyed by many during the Easter holiday season. The recipe shared in this article will guide you through the process of making these buns, and it’s a great way to bring a taste of Guyanese culture to your kitchen.
Remember to use high-quality ingredients, proof your yeast, knead the dough properly, let the dough rise and be gentle when shaping them. Don’t forget to brush the buns with an egg wash for a nice golden color.
Once you’ve made these buns, you can enjoy them in a variety of ways, whether it’s plain, with butter or cheese, or as a breakfast sandwich. And if you have some left over, you can store them in an airtight container, freeze them or reheat them for future enjoyment.
