HOT CROSS BUNS

Ingredients

  • 1 tbsp Dry active yeast

  • ½ cup Brown sugar

  • 1½ cups Milk, lukewarm

  • 4 cups Plain flour

  • 4 tsp Hot cross bun spice blend

  • 1/2 tsp salt

  • 1 1/2 cups Dried fruit

  • 1 - 2 oranges, zest only

  • 50g Butter, melted and cooled

  • 1 egg, at room temperature

    CROSSES:

  • 1/2 cup plain flour

  • 5 tbsp water

    GLAZE:

  • 2 tbsp orange juice

  • 2 tbsp brown sugar

  • 2 tsp water

Method

1/ Place the yeast and 2 teaspoons of the sugar in a large bowl, then pour in the warm milk. Leave for 5 minutes to froth.

2/ Sieve plain flour into the large bowl of your stand mixer. Next add the remaining sugar, spices, salt and sultanas and stir. Pour in the yeast mixture, along with orange zest, melted butter and egg. Using the dough hook attachment, mix until a smooth elastic dough forms.

3/ Leave dough in the bowl, cover with a wet (clean) tea towel and place in a warm place to rise until doubled in size. This will take anywhere between 30 minutes to 1 1/2 hours.

4/ Line a 31.5 x 23.5 cm / 9 x 13” tray with baking paper.

5/ Lightly dust the work surface with flour, place dough on the surface, then knead lightly and shape into a log. Cut into 12 equal pieces. Take one piece and press down with your palm, then use your fingers to gather into a ball, then roll the dough briefly to form and smooth the ball. Place the ball with the smooth side up on the tray. Repeat with remaining dough. Line them up 3 x 4. Return the tray to a warm place and leave for 30 - 45 minutes.

6/ Preheat oven to 180C/350F. To make the crosses on the buns, mix flour and water until a runny paste forms. Spoon flour paste into a round 3 mm piping bag or small zip lock bag then snip the corner off. Pipe crosses onto the buns.

7/ Bake buns in the oven for 20 minutes, or until the surface is a deep golden brown.

8/ Meanwhile, place sugar, orange juice and water in a small pot and bring to a simmer. When sugar is dissolved, turn off the heat and seat aside. When hot cross buns are a deep golden brown, remove from the oven. Brush with orange glaze mixture while warm.