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Hot Cross Buns

Yields8 Servings

 175 g Mixed dried fruit
 1 Orange, zested
 7 g Sachet fast-action dried yeast
 175 g Caster sugar
 300 ml Semi-skimmed milk, warm
 1 tbsp Milk to glaze
 600 g Strong white bread flour
 3 tsp Mixed spice
 0.50 tsp Ground cinnamon
 1 Whole nutmeg, to grate
 75 g Butter, softened
 1 tbsp Melted butter
 Oil to grease
 1 Medium egg yolk
 50 g Plain flour
1

Mix together the dried fruit and orange zest in a bowl. . Put the yeast in a jug with 15g caster sugar. Pour over 4 tbsp warm milk and leave to foam for 5 minutes.

2

In a food processor, pulse the flour, 110g caster sugar, a pinch of salt, the mixed spice, cinnamon, a good grating of nutmeg and the softened butter until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.

3

Tip into a large bowl and make a well in the centre. Pour in the yeast mixture and most of the remaining milk. Mix to a dough, adding more milk if needed.

4

Tip on to a floured surface and knead for 8-10 minutes, until smooth and elastic.

5

Add the dried fruits and zest mixture and knead until combined.

6

Put in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with clingfilm and leave in a warm place to rise for an hour or so until doubled in size.

7

Press the dough into a rectangular shape. Divide and shape into 16 balls of equal size.

8

Place, almost touching, on baking trays lined with baking parchment.

9

Cover with a damp tea towel and leave in a warm place until doubled in size and joined together – this may take another hour or so depending on the temperature.

10

Preheat the oven to 230C. Beat the egg yolk with 1 tbsp milk and brush the buns with the mixture.

11

Mix the plain flour and 1 tbsp melted butter with 4 tbsp water to form a paste. Spoon into a piping bag with a plain nozzle and pipe a cross on the top of each bun. Bake in the oven for 5 minutes, then reduce the oven temperature to 190c and bake for a further 10-15 minutes until risen and golden.

12

Remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack.

13

In a small pan, gently heat the remaining sugar with 2 tbsp water to dissolve. Bring to the boil, then brush over the cooled buns.

14

Allow to cool completely before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Servings 8