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Tuesday 29 March 2016

Easter: Hot Cross Buns - Sweet & Sticky



Just packed up our Christmas Tree & it's already Easter!

Every year we sample Hot Cross Buns from different bakeries.

Have you ever?
“Raisin Free Buns”, Choc chip Buns! Really?
Everywhere...
When you don’t read, grab some buns, salivate all the way home, slice one open & complain about the lack of flavour and fruit...
Only to be reminded by your 12 year old “Mom! the label says raisin free buns"
Well that was motivation enough for me….

Hot Cross Buns – Sweet & Sticky (Makes 12-13 Buns)

4 ½ C            Cake Flour
1 t                    Salt
8 T                  Sugar      
3 t                   Ground Mixed Spice
2 t                   Ground Cinnamon
1 t                    Ground Nutmeg
45 g (3T)                     Margarine
                                      Zest of 1 Lemon/Orange
1 pkt (10 g)                 Instant Yeast
1                                   Egg
375 ml (1 ½ C)          Water
1 C                Dried Fruit (Raisins & Sultanas/Cake Mix)

Topping:
30 ml (2 T)                Cake Flour
                                     Sunflower Oil
15 ml (1T)                   Golden Syrup (Heated)


Step 1:
  • Sieve Flour, Salt, Ground Mixed Spice, Cinnamon & Nutmeg into a large mixing bowl.
  • Rub Margarine into your flour mixture.
  • Make a well in the center. Add Sugar, Zest & Yeast.
  • In a jug, mix Egg & Water.
  • Add to flour mixture & knead into a soft, pliable dough for 5 – 10 minutes.
  • Add Dried Fruit & knead for a further 5 minutes.
  • Grease the sides & lid of your bowl with a bit of oil. Close & set aside in a warm place for 1 hour.
  • Preheat your oven to 180 degrees Celsius or Gas Mark 4.
  • Grease a baking sheet pan.

Step 2:
  • Divide your dough into 12 or 13 equal pieces. 
  • Roll into balls, place onto greased baking sheet pan, cover with cling wrap & set aside for 30 minutes.
Step 3:
  • For the Cross Topping: Mix Flour & enough Oil to form a soft runny mixture. Remove cling wrap, drizzle cross over your buns.


Step 4:
  • Place into the oven for 15 – 20 minutes.

Step 5:
  • Remove buns from the oven.
  • Warm the Golden Syrup & brush over your Hot Cross Buns.
  • Allow to cool.





I will Now be singing: 1 a Penny, 2 a Penny, Sweet & Sticky Hot Cross Buns…

Love C