Ok so we’ve had recipes for Christmas, then the Chinese New Year, then St David’s Day, and then last week St Patrick’s Day. What’s up next? That’s right Easter.
So with Easter just around the corner we thought it seemed only right to dig out a recipe for Hot Cross Buns.
They are a pretty versatile food too, as they can be served hot or cold, or eaten for breakfast or just simply a mid morning / afternoon snack, and naturally not just for Easter – although tradition would have it that they should be eaten on Good Friday.
And if your not a fan of sultanas, don’t worry, cause you can easily substitute them for chocolate chips, cherries, toffee, cranberry, apple, cinnamon, or apple.
Ingredients:
• 30g compressed yeast (1 sachet dry yeast)
• 1 ½ cups warm milk
• 4 cups plain flour
• ¼ cup caster sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 egg lightly beaten
• 1 teaspoon mixed spice
• 60g melted butter
• ½ cup sultanas / chocolate chips / cherries
Paste for Cross:
• 4 tablespoons self-raising flour
• 2 tablespoons cold water
Glaze:
• 2 tablespoons boiled water
• 1 teaspoon sugar
Instructions:
1. In a bowl, mix yeast with warm milk and sugar. Leave to stand for 15 minutes; stir in the beaten egg.
2. In a separate bowl, sift flour, spices and salt into a bowl.
3. Make a well in the centre.
4. Rub butter into dry ingredients.
5. Pour the yeast mixture into the well; add sultanas or chocolate bits and mix together to form soft dough.
6. Knead until smooth, and then place it in a greased bowl, cover with a tea-towel and leave to rest in a warm spot.
7. Leave it to rest for about 1 hour.
8. Turn the risen dough on to a lightly floured surface and gently press out to 1cm thickness.
9. Divide dough into 12-16 pieces and shape into a small ball. Place buns on a greased baking tray, cover and leave for another 30 minutes.
10. Before baking in the oven, cut a cross shape on top of the buns.
11. For the white cross: mix all ingredients, put into a piping bag and pipe mixture into the cross on top of each bun.
12. Bake in a hot oven (200˚C) for about 15 minutes
13. For the glaze: mix 2 tablespoons of boiled water with 1 teaspoon sugar; glaze while hot.
For this and more delicious recipes please head on over to kikiandtea.