Hot Cross Buns Recipe

You will need.....       12 oz. plain flour                               

                               1 level teaspoon salt

                               1/2 level teaspoon each mixed spice,

                               cinnamon and nutmeg

                               2 oz. sugar

Preparation Time      2 oz. butter, melted

25 minutes                1 egg, beaten

                               4 oz. currants

Cooking Time            1-2 oz. mixed peel

15-20 minutes            For the yeast liquid:

                              1 level tablespoon dried yeast

Oven setting            1 level teaspoon sugar

425ºF; Gas Mark 7      1/4 pint warm milk (110ºF)

                              1/4 pint water less 3 tablespoons

                              4 oz. plain flour

                             

Blend yeast with mixed warm milk and water, sugar and flour. Leave until frothy, about 20-30 minutes. Sift together remaining flour, salt, spices and sugar; add fruit. Stir butter and egg into yeast batter, add flour and fruit. Mix well. Knead dough on a floured table for about approximately 10 minutes.

 

Divide dough into 12 pieces and shape into buns by using the palm of on hand, first pressing down hard and then easing up. Place on a floured baking sheet spaced well apart. Put inside a greased polythene bag and leave to rise at room temperature for about 45 minutes. Remove bag. Make a cross with a very sharp knife to just cut surface of dough. Bake in a hot oven for 15-20 minutes. Cool on a wire tray.

 

For the glaze, bring 2 tablespoons milk and 2 tablespoons water to the boil, stir in 1 1/2 oz. sugar and boil for 2 minutes.

 

Quick Tip

 

For a more definitely shaped cross place two strips of short crust pastry on to the buns after glazing and before baking.

 

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