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Hot cross buns

Hot cross buns

An Easter classic that’s absolutely delicious warmed up with some melted butter, yum.

5 minutes
25 minutes
1 people
What you'll need
  • 500g strong white flour plus a little extra for dusting
  • 75g caster sugar
  • 10g fast-action dried yeast
  • 10g salt
  • 2 tsp mixed spice powder
  • Zest of 1 lemon
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 40g butter
  • 300ml milk
  • 1 beaten egg
  • 200g sultanas
  • 50g chopped mixed candied peel
  • 75g plain flour
  • 2 tbsp golden syrup
Method

Makes 12 buns

Step 1.

Put the flour, sugar, mixed spice, cinnamon and lemon zest into a large bowl and mix. Then add the salt and yeast to opposite sides of the bowl.

Step 2.

Warm the milk in a pan while melting the butter in a separate pan. Add the butter and 200ml of milk to the large bowl of flour and sugar.

Step 3.

Add the eggs to the mix and use your hands to mix it all together. Be sure to get the flour off the edges of the bowl as you go.

Step 4.

Add the remaining milk slowly until you have a soft dough.

Step 5.

Flour a work surface and tip the dough out. Knead by hand and slowly add the sultanas and mixed peel. Knead for around 10 minutes until the dough is silky, elastic and in a smooth ball. You can also use a dough hook to do this.

Step 6.

Oil a bowl and place the dough inside. Cover with cling film and leave in a warm place for about 1.5 hours or until doubled in size. If you’re struggling to find a warm place, turn your oven on as low as possible (around 30c) and put the bowl of dough inside.

Step 7.

After the dough has doubled in size, tip it out onto a floured surface and cut it into 12 balls.

Step 8.

Line a baking tray or two with paper and put the balls on the tray, placing them close together and flattening slightly.

Step 9.

Put the baking tray into a large clean plastic bag (think giant sandwich bag) making sure it doesn’t touch the buns. Leave for up to 60 minutes until they’ve again doubled in size.

Meanwhile, heat the oven to 220c/200 fan/gas mark 7.

Step 10.

Add the plain flour to a bowl with 100ml water. Mix it to form a paste and spoon into an icing bag.

Step 11.

When the buns have doubled in size, take them out of the bag and pipe a cross onto each bun.

Step 12.

Bake for 15 to 20 minutes until they’re a pale golden colour.

Step 13.

Melt the golden syrup in a pan and, while the buns are still warm, brush them with a little syrup for a brilliant shine. Leave to cool.

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