Hot Cross Buns

Hot Cross Buns

"Traditionally these spiced buns are made during Lent on Good Friday, but they can also be enjoyed throughout the year. This recipe is taken from Dusty's Food Adventures."

Ingredients:

3 heaped cups all purpose flour, plus extra for dusting

200 ml milk + 50 ml water

¼  cup unsalted butter

1 tablespoon yeast

1 teaspoon salt

¼  cup caster sugar

1 teaspoon mixed spice (see mixed spice recipe below)

1 teaspoon cinnamon

¼  teaspoon nutmeg

1 egg

1/2 cup candied ginger, mixed dry fruit and peel

2 - 3 tablespoon all purpose flour (for the cross)

2 - 3 tablespoon honey (for the glaze)

Directions:

1. Prep your ingredients before you begin to save time while cooking.

2. Combine the milk and water, and warm it in a pan or microwave until it is just warmer than room temperature. Add the yeast to the mix and stir it in. Set aside.

3. Warm up the butter until it melts and beat the egg in a separate bowl. Set aside.

4. Combine all the dry ingredients in a large bowl.

5. Add the butter, yeast mixture and egg to the bowl.

6. Combine the wet and dry ingredients together.

7. Knead the dough for around 10 minutes until it is smooth and pliable.

8. Cover and place in a warm place to proof for around an hour or until doubled in size. I place the mixing bowl in my oven with just the oven light on.

9. After an hour, add the mixed dry fruit and peel to the dough mix.

10. Knead for 1 - 2 minutes.

11. Divide the dough into 10 - 12 equal parts (use a knife or pastry cutter; do not tear the dough as it will break the gluten strands) and roll them into balls. Place the balls on a greased and lined baking tray. Place the tray back into the oven for a further 30 minutes. Here's a quick video that will show you how to go about shaping the dough: How to shape dough - King Arthur Flour.

12. In a small bowl combine the flour for the cross with equal parts of water. The mix should be thick enough to pipe. It's better to be a bit on the dry side, because if too runny, the crosses will disappear when baked.

13. Once the 30 minutes are up, add the flour mixture into a piping bag, or into a zip lock bag with the corner cut off, and pipe a cross across the top of the dough balls.

14. Turn on your oven and pre-heat it to 375F (190C). Place the tray into the oven and bake the buns for 20 minutes or until they brown.

15. Once done, remove from oven and place on a cooling rack.

16. Add a tablespoon or two of water to the honey, and mix it to form a thin mix.

17. Brush the honey mix over the tops of the bun, and repeat again if necessary.

18. Serve warm with salted butter and/or your favourite jam.

Mixed Spice Recipe:

1 Tablespoon ground allspice

1 Tablespoon ground cinnamon

1 Tablespoon ground nutmeg

1 teaspoon ground cloves

1 teaspoon ground coriander

1 teaspoon ground Ginger

Mix all the spices together, and store in a sealed jar away from light. You can use this spice powder to make other types of sweet bread rolls/buns.