Hot Cross Buns

225g of plain flour
25g of margarine
40g of sugar
150mls of milk
6g of fast action dried yeast
55g of mixed dried fruit
25g of mixed chopped peel
1 teaspoon of mixed spice
1 teaspoon of salt

Ingredients For The Crosses 

25g butter
55g plain flour


Ingredients For The Glaze

2 tablespoons of sugar
1 tablespoon of milk

How To Make Hot Cross Buns

Sieve the flour and salt into a large bowl.

Rub in the margarine with the flour and salt until it looks like breadcrumbs.

Add the yeast, peel, fruit, sugar and spice and stir.

Warm the milk and then add it the mixture and mix to form a soft dough.

On a flat surface, sprinkle some flour and then place the dough mixture and begin to knead until it looses the stickiness and gets elastic.

Separate the mixture to form eight pieces and shape into rolls. Place these onto a greased baking tray.

Cover with a tea towel and leave in a warm place for about an hour. This will allow the dough to rise.

How To Make The Crosses On Hot Cross Buns

Blend the butter and the plain flour and add 4 tablespoons of water.

After waiting about an hour for the dough to rise, remove the tea towel. Pipe the cross mixture on the top of each bun forming a cross.

Place the buns onto a baking tray and put into a preheated oven at Gas Mark 7 or 220C for 15 minutes or until the buns look golden brown.

Whilst the buns are baking use this time to prepare the glaze.

How To Make The Glaze For Hot Cross Buns

Warm the milk and sugar until dissolved. Remove from the heat and brush over the buns while they are newly removed from the oven.

Return the glazed buns to the oven and bake for another two minutes.

Remove and set aside to cool or serve freshly baked.

Hope you enjoy making these and have a great Easter, until next time, 

     Janet     

Image: Clare Bloomfield / FreeDigitalPhotos.net