Hot Cross Buns

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There's nothing worse than missing your favorite foods that are only around at a certain time of the year. For many, Hot Cross Buns fall into this category. Usually sold in Supermarkets and Bakeries from late January through to just after Easter, Hot Cross Buns come in many forms and flavors. This recipe is a great base for any type of buns you'd like to make, I personally prefer Choc Chip instead of fruit, but you can add anything you like.

INGREDIENTS

2 tsp Dried Yeast

300ml Warmed Milk

1/4 Cup Caster Sugar

4 1/2 Cups Plain Flour

1 tsp Cinnamon

1/2 tsp Salt

1/2 tsp Mixed Spice

90g Cold Butter, Cubed

1 egg

2 cups Mixed Dried Fruit or Chocolate Chips or filling of your choice

CROSSES

1/2 Cup Flour

1 tbsp Cocoa Powder (if making Choc Chip Buns)

Water

GLAZE

1/4 Cup Water

1/4 Cup Sugar

1 tsp Mixed Spice

METHOD

Combine the sugar and warm milk in a jug and stir in the yeast. Cover with glad wrap and leave until foamy.

Add the flour and cinnamon to a large bowl and add the butter. Rub in until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.

To the flour mixture add the mixed fruit or chocolates chips, as well as the salt and mixed spice.

Whisk the egg into the milk and yeast mixture and add to the dry ingredients. Mix to a soft dough.

Knead until smooth, then return to the bowl and cover with glad wrap. Leave in a warm place to prove until doubled in size.

Preheat your oven to 220 degrees

Once doubled, cut your dough into 16 even pieces and gently form into rounds. Align them together on a tray covered with baking paper and leave to prove for another 30 mins.

Meanwhile, prepare the mixture to make your crosses. If you are making chocolate chip buns add the cocoa powder. Add water until you reach the right consistency for piping. Place the mixture into a piping bag with a nozzle or a zip lock bag and put aside.