Makes: 18 Hot Cross Buns Temperature: 180 °C / 350 °F
Preparation Time: 1 hour 30 minutes Baking Time: 20 – 25 minutes
Ingredients
Dough:
| 500 |
g |
Cake flour (4 Cups) |
| 5 |
ml |
Salt (2 tsp) |
| 60 |
ml |
Sugar (4 Tbsp) |
| 3 |
ml |
Mixed spice (½ tsp) |
| 3 |
ml |
Nutmeg (½ tsp) |
| 5 |
ml |
Cinnamon (1 tsp) |
| 10 |
g |
Anchor Instant Yeast (1 packet) |
| 60 |
g |
Margarine |
| 155 |
ml |
Warm milk (½ Cup + 2 Tbsp) |
| 1 |
|
Large egg, beaten |
| 125 |
ml |
Lukewarm water (½ Cup) |
| 150 |
g |
Dried fruit cake mix / raisins (250 ml / 1 Cup) |
Topping:
| 120 |
g |
Cake flour (250 ml / 1 Cup) |
| 3 |
ml |
Salt (½ tsp) |
| 45 |
ml |
Oil (3 Tbsp) |
| 155 |
ml |
Milk (½ cup + 2 Tbsp)
Beaten egg, to brush |
Orange Glaze:
| 250 |
ml |
Orange juice (1 Cup) |
| 45 |
ml |
Honey (3 Tbsp) |
Method
- In a bowl, combine the flour, salt, sugar, and spices together. Add Anchor Instant Yeast and mix well.
- Melt the margarine in the warm milk and cool slightly. Add the milk mixture to the dry ingredients, together with the beaten egg and enough lukewarm water to form soft dough.
- Knead the dough well for
10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover with greased plastic and rest for 10 – 15 minutes.
- In a saucepan add the orange juice and honey and bring to the boil over low heat, about 10 – 15 minutes, until the mixture resembles a syrup consistency. Remove from heat and set aside.
- Knock the dough down and work the dried fruit in, whilst kneading. Divide the dough into 18 equal pieces.
- Cut Shape each piece into a bun and place on a greased baking tray. Cover with greased plastic and rise in a warm place for about 25 – 30 minutes, or until double in volume.
- For the topping, mix the flour, salt, oil and milk together until a smooth and gummy paste. The mixture should be fairly thin to pipe, but thick enough to hold shape.
- Brush the risen buns with beaten egg and pipe a cross over each bun.
- Bake in a preheated oven at 180 °C / 350 °F for 20 – 25 minutes. Remove from oven and glaze the buns with the orange syrup, whilst hot.
