Hot Cross Bun Recipe

Hot cross buns are a classic Easter treat, and they're so easy to make!

You will need:

Buns:

• 1/4 cup water
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/4 cup brown sugar
• 1 tbsp active dried yeast
• 2 1/2 - 3 cups high grade flour
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 tbsp mixed spice
• 1 tbsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp nutmeg
• 1/4 cup mixed peel
• 3/4 cup raisins/currants
• 75g melted butter
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 egg

 Crosses:

• 1 tsp sugar
• 1/4 cup flour
• 1/4 cup milk

Glaze:

• 3 tbsp sugar
• 1/4 cup water

Instructions

1. Heat milk, water and brown sugar in a small saucepan until warm, whisking well to ensure sugar is dissolved. Pour into mixer or large bowl and stir in yeast. Let sit for 5 minutes.
2. While you wait, into another large bowl add 2 and a half cups of the flour, salt, mixed spice, cinnamon, raisins/currants and mixed peel.
3. In another small bowl or saucepan, melt the butter then add the vanilla extract and egg. Whisk until ingredients are incorporated. 
4. Once the yeast is beginning to bubble, add in both flour and butter mixtures. If using a mixer, knead for 7 to 8 minutes using the dough hook attachment until dough springs back when pressed. If mixing by hand, combine dough using a wooden spoon and turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for 10 minutes, adding more flour if the dough is very sticky.
5. Wrap dough in glad wrap or a clean tea towel and leave in a warm area to rise for an hour to an hour and a half (or until doubled in size).
6. Once dough has risen, gently punch it down and turn out of the bowl onto a lightly floured surface. Split out the dough into 10 equal sized pieces, roll each piece into a ball, and place them onto a lined baking tray so they are just about touching. Lightly spray a piece of glad wrap with cooking oil, cover the dough balls with it and leave in a warm area to rise for 40 minutes.
7. Preheat your oven to 180 degrees Celsius.
8. While waiting for the buns to rise, whisk together the milk, sugar and flour until smooth for the cross mixture.
9. Spoon or pour your cross mixture into a piping bag with a small opening. When the buns have risen, carefully pipe the cross design onto each one. These can be carefully drizzled on with a spoon if you do not have a piping bag.
10. Bake buns for 20-25 minutes until the tops appear golden brown. Whilst waiting for them to bake, prepare your glaze. Mix the sugar and water in a small bowl and microwave until the sugar has completely dissolved. 
11. Once buns have completely baked, brush them with the glaze and leave to cool slightly.

Note: Best served sliced in half and spread with butter - yum! Can be kept in an airtight container for up to 3 days, or frozen.