Hot Cross Buns

Ingredients

• 1 packet Active Dry Yeast
• 4 oz salted butter melted
• 1 cup warm milk
• 100 g sugar
• 500 g bread flour
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp allspice
• 1/2 cup raisins
• 1 Tbsp candied citrus peel.
• 1 cup of flour
• 3/4 cup of water
• 2 Tbsp sugar
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/4 cup water

Instructions

1. 1

   --- The Dough: ---

2. 2

   Bring a cup of water to boil add the raisins into the boiling water and allow boil for 2 minutes to hydrate them. Sieve with a colander and run under cold water to cool and set aside. Alternatively you can hydrate the raisins in the microwave bowl see note 1 below.

3. 3

   Put about 2 Tbsp warm water in a small cup, add a teaspoon of sugar from the 100g then add the yeast and set aside

4. 4

   Mix sugar, melted butter and eggs together and pour into the mixing bowl.

5. 5

   Add the proofed yeast into the mixture, pour in the flour, cooled raisins and citrus peel and begin to mix with the dough hook of the stand mixer.

6. 6

   Mix till everything comes together. When all have come together into a ball increase speed and mix for about 5 minutes that the kneading stage. The dough shouldn't be sticky. If it is, add a little flour.

7. 7

   Grease a bowl then transfer the bell of dough to the greased bowl.

8. 8

   Cover with cling film and a kitchen towel. Place in warm place for 1 hr until it doubles in size.

9. 9

   When the dough has risen and doubled in size, punch it down,

10. 10

    Then transfer to you work surface, if it's still sticky (which I doubt), dust it with a little flour and knead.

11. 11

    Cut into 12 equal parts I had use a scale to divide them equally. You can eyeball it if you want.

12. 12

    Form 12 balls and arrange them in a greased 9 by 13 pan 1 inch apart.

13. 13

    Cover again and allow to rise for 20 mins.

14. 14

    --- The Flour paste ---

15. 15

    Mix the flour and water till smooth. It will have a thick yet fluid consistency.

16. 16

    Then transfer into a piping bag with a round top or use a ziplock bag and cut a little hole unit when you are ready to use the paste.

17. 17

    --- The glaze ---

18. 18

    When the bread is baking, you can prepare the glaze it's just simple syrup.

19. 19

    Bring water to boil then add the sugar allow to boil for about 2 minutes then turn off heat

20. 20

    --- The assembly: ---

21. 21

    Preheat oven to 350 F

22. 22

    When the dough balls have risen cut the tip of the ziplock that has the flower paste.

23. 23

    Pipe a long line vertically and horizontally in the middle of the Buns.

24. 24

    Transfer to the oven and bake for 20 - 25 mins.

25. 25

    The buns would be hollow when you tap the button of the pan when it is ready. It may not be golden brown on top until the glaze is applied.

26. 26

    Bring it out of the oven and apply the glaze (simple syrup) with a brush.