Chef John's Hot Cross Buns

Details

Ingredients

• ¼ cup dried currants
• ¼ cup rum, or as needed to cover currants
• ¾ cup milk, warmed to 100 degrees F/40 degrees C
• 3 cups bread flour, divided, or as needed
• 1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast
• 5 tablespoons white sugar
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 1 tablespoon grated lemon zest
• 1 tablespoon grated orange zest
• ¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon
• ½ teaspoon fine salt
• ½ teaspoon ground cardamom
• ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
• 7 tablespoons melted butter
• ¼ cup water
• ⅓ cup all-purpose flour, or as needed to make thin, pipe-able dough
• ¼ cup sugar
• 3 tablespoons water