Hot Cross Bun Recipe

The perfect Easter Treat! These tasty hot cross buns can be served cold, warm or toasted with a little bit of butter, mmmm! Ingredients:

• 2 x 7 g sachet dried yeast
• 455 g strong bread flour (plus extra for dusting)
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon mixed spice
• 1 teaspoon cinnamon
• ½ whole nutmeg
• 55 g caster sugar
• 2 pieces’ stem ginger
• 1 egg
• 2 tablespoons plain flour
• 1 cup (80-100g) sultanas or raisins
• 2 tablespoons mixed peel
• runny honey (to glaze)
• 1 cup milk
• 55 g butter

Method:

1. Add the milk and 50ml water to a small pan and place over a low heat for a few minutes, or until slightly warm (not hot).
2. Meanwhile, add the butter to a separate pan and place over a low heat for a few minutes, or until melted, then set aside.
3. Transfer the warmed milk mixture to a medium bowl and stir in the yeast. Set aside.
4. Sift the flour into a large bowl, then add the salt, spices, a few good scrapings of nutmeg and the sugar. Finely chop the stem ginger and stir it into the mix.
5. Make a well in the centre and pour in the melted butter, followed by the yeast mixture. In a separate bowl, beat the egg and add it to the bowl.
6. Using a fork, mix well until you have a rough dough, then transfer to a clean flour dusted work surface and knead for around 10 minutes, or until soft and springy.
7. Return the dough to a flour dusted bowl, cover with a damp tea towel and leave to rise in a warm place for at least an hour (or until doubled in size).
8. Transfer the dough to a clean flour dusted surface. Knock the air out by knocking it with your fist, then sprinkle over the sultanas/raisins and knead into the dough for 1 to 2 minutes.
9. Preheat the oven to 190C. Grease and line a large baking tray.
10. Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces and roll each into balls. Evenly space them out on a lined baking tray as you go.
11. Cover with the tea towel and leave in a warm place for a further 30 minutes, or until doubled in size.
12. Meanwhile, place the plain flour and 2 tablespoons water into a small bowl and mix to a thick paste.
13. Gently pat down the risen buns then use the batter to carefully trace a cross over the top with a piping bag or spoon.
14. Place the buns into the preheated oven for 15 – 20 minutes, or until golden brown.
15. Transfer to a wire cooling rack, brush over a little honey and leave to cool.
16. Slice open the sticky hot cross buns, spread with a little butter and serve. Enjoy!