Hot Cross Buns
INGREDIENTS:
- 1 ¼ cups (310ml) milk
- ¾ cup (165g) caster sugar
- 14g dried yeast
- 4 1/3 cups (650g) plain flour
- ¼ tsp salt
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 2 tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ tsp ground cloves
- 1 (190g) mixed organic dried fruit – make sure there is no sulphur in your dried fruit
- (or 1/2 cup organic sultanas and ½ cup organic currants or craisins)
- ¼ cup water
- 1 egg, lightly beaten
- 100g unsalted pure butter, melted and cooled
- 2 tblsp water
METHOD:
1. Mix the milk and 1/3 cup of the sugar in a saucepan over a low heat until it is lukewarm. Turn off the heat. Stir in the yeast, then stand on stovetop for 10 minutes or until the mixture is foamy.
2. Sift 4 cups of the flour, the spices and the salt into a bowl. Stir in the fruit. Add the yeast mixture, egg and butter and stir until the mixture forms a dough.
3. Knead on a floured surface for 5 minutes or until the mixture is smooth and elastic. Place into a lightly oiled bowl and cover with a clean tea towel. Stand in a warm place for 1 hour or until the mixture has doubled in size.
4. Divide the dough into 16 pieces and shape into balls. Place into a greased 23cm square or round cake tin (they can be placed on a tray but be sure they are touching). Cover with the tea towel and stand in a warm place for 30 minutes or until the dough has risen to be level with tin’s rim.
5. Preheat the oven to 200°C or 180°C for fan forced. Combine the remaining flour, 1 tblsp of the sugar and 1/4 cup water until the mixture is smooth. Spoon the mixture into a piping bag (or a snap lock bag, sealed with a corner snipped off) and then pipe crosses over buns. Bake for 10 minutes then reduce the oven to 180°C (160°C for fan forced) and bake for 15-20 minutes or until the buns are golden and risen. Place on to a wire rack to cool.
6. Combine the remaining 1/3 cup sugar with 2 tblsp water in a saucepan over low-medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Bring the syrup to the boil. Brush the hot syrup over the top of the buns. Serve.
TIP: If the buns are not as soft the next day, simply reheat in the oven.
VARIATION: If you would a chocolate treat, simply replace the dried fruit with Nestle Choc bits to make Choc Chip Hot Cross Buns.
