Hot Cross Buns

This recipe comes from the BBC – and British Food Personality, Mary Berry.

Ingredients

  • 500g/1 lb 2oz bread flour, plus extra for dusting
  • 75g/2 3/4oz sugar
  • 2 tsp mixed spice powder (cloves, nutmeg. allspice…)
  • 1 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 1 lemon, finely grated zest only
  • 10g/1/4oz salt
  • 10g/1/4oz fast-action dried yeast
  • 40g/1 1/2oz butter
  • 300ml/10fl oz milk
  • 1 egg, beaten
  • 200g/7oz sultanas
  • 50g/1 3/4oz finely chopped mixed candied peel
  • oil, for greasing
  • For the topping
  • 75g/2 3/4oz all-purpose flour
  • 2 tbsp golden syrup, for glazing

Method

Put the flour, sugar, spices and lemon zest into a large bowl and mix together. Then add the salt and yeast, placing them on opposite sides of the bowl.

Separately, melt the butter and lightly warm the milk. Add the butter and half the tepid milk to the dry ingredients. Add the egg and use your hands to bring the mixture together, incorporating the flour from the edges of the bowl as you go. Gradually add the remaining milk, to form a soft pliable dough (you may not need all of the milk).

Tip the dough out on to a lightly floured work surface. Knead by hand incorporating the sultanas and mixed peel into the dough. Lightly knead for 10 minutes until silky and elastic and forming a smooth ball. The kneading can also be done in a food mixer with a dough hook.

Oil a bowl and place the dough in a bowl, cover with cling film and leave to rest in a warm place for about 1½ hours or until doubled in size.

Turn the dough out on to a floured surface and divide into 12 balls. Line 1-2 baking trays with paper and place the balls on the tray, placing them fairly close together and flattening them slightly.

Cover with a loose tea towel and let rise for 40-60 minutes until the buns have doubled in size.

Preheat the oven to 220C / 425F

For the topping, add the flour to a bowl with 100ml/3½fl oz water. Mix together to make a paste and spoon into the icing bag.

When the buns have risen, pipe a cross on each bun. Bake for 15-20 minutes until pale golden-brown, turning the baking trays round halfway through if necessary.

Heat the golden syrup and while the buns are still warm, brush the buns with a little syrup to give a nice shine, before setting aside to cool on a wire rack.

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