Now does anyone know why there needs to be a cross on the hot cross bun? I wish i knew, I did do a quick google on it but nothing about the history behind the cross – so if you know please comment below!
Enjoy these yummy hot cross buns either warm fresh from the oven on their own or lightly toasted with butter!
A hot cross bun is a spiced sweet bun made with currants or raisins and marked with a cross on the top, traditionally eaten on Good Friday or around christmas. Now my husband does love a good fruit spiced bun or tea cake – so I do like to please! With the smile on his face, it was definitely worth making these relatively easy buns fresh at home.
Ingredients
3 Tsp Fast Acting Yeast
3 Tbsp Sugar
⅓ cup dried milk powder
1 Egg
2½ cups strong bread flour
1 Tspn Olive oil
Pinch of salt
1/2 Tsp mixed Ground Spice
2 Tsp ground cinnamon
1/4Tsp ground nutmeg
1 cup raisins
1/4 cup flour
6 Tsp water
1/3 Cup of Water
2 Tbsp Sugar
In a bowl combine the warm water and yeast and stir until dissolved.
Add the sugar, dried milk and egg and whisk until combined.
Add 1½ cups of the flour and mix well until it looks more like a smooth batter.
Cover and let rest for 30 minutes in normal kitchen temperature.
After 30 minutes it should look bubbly but still very wet. Add the oil and salt and fold through, then add 1 cup of flour & spices, using a dough hook knead for 3 minutes
Add the raisins and mix for another 2 minutes.
Place the dough into a bowl which has been lightly greased with olive oil. Cover and let rest for about another 30 minutes in a warm place.
The dough will raise and double in size, removed from the bowl and onto a floured work surface.
Knead breifly and divide the dough into 12 equal pieces and roll into small balls.
Place all 12 dough balls onto the greased baking tray and cover with cling film, place back into the warm place for another 30 minutes.
The dough will raise again and may even join together.
Mix the 6 tsp water and 1/4 cup flour together to form a paste.
Using a small food bag or piping bag with a corner snipped off, squeeze the cross mixture across the buns in both directions to form the cross.
Bake in the oven and bake for about 20-25 minutes and golden brown at 180c.
While the buns are baking, heat the 1/3 cup water and 2 tbsp of sugar until dissolved and reduced into a glaze, Brush the buns with glaze once they come out of the oven.