Hot Cross Buns

Makes 15 buns

Ingredients:

1 1/4 cups full cream milk

3 1/2 - 4 cups flour

¼ cup light brown sugar

1 Tbsp. yeast

2 large eggs

1 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon

¼ tsp. nutmeg

½ tsp. salt

1/3 cup raisins/currents

½ tsp. orange zest

¼ tsp. ground glove

Method:

1. Scald milk (bring to a boil for 3 minutes) and pour into a large bowl.

2. Add sugar, butter, salt, cinnamon, clove, nutmeg, orange zest stir until butter melts and milk is luke warm.

3. Add yeast and egg, stir.

4. Add flour to milk mixture and mix in until smooth.

5. Stir in currents/ raisins, add remaining flour and knead light to incorporate all ingredients into one.

6. Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 7-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.

7. Place in a greased bowl and grease the top lightly.

8. Cover with a damp cloth and let lightly.

9. Cover with a damp cloth and let rise until double in volume about 1hour.

10. Gently punch down the risen dough and divide into 15 equal pieces.

11. Shape each pieces into a small round ball and place about 2 inches apart on a baking sheet.

12. Using a scissor snip a cross on of each ball.

13. Cover and let rise in a warm place until double in size about 40 minutes.

14. Preheat the oven to 350 ⁰F.

15. Make an egg and milk wash by add 2 tbsp. water to 1 egg or ½ cup milk and brush on the top of the buns before baking.

16. Bake until golden brown, about 20 minutes.

17. Remove from oven when golden brown, brush with brown sugar glace, cool.

18. Use glace icing, form a cross on the top of the buns with a spoon or icing tube. 

½ cup brown sugar

2 tbsp. water

Method:

Stir water and sugar until partially dissolve.

Glace icing

½ cup powder sugar/icing sugar

1tbsp milk or cream or lemon juice

Method:

1. Place powder / icing sugar into a bowl and form a well in the middle

2. Add liquid and stir from the middle of well towards the bowl to avoid any lumps until mixture is of a slightly runny and thick consistency.

Variation:

½ cup mixed peel

½ cup candied fruits

½ cup Desiccated Coconut

The above ingredients can be added individually or in any combination to create different flavours and texture.