A hot cross bun is a small, sweet bun with a cross.
Ingredients
30 grams compressed yeast
1 1/2 cups milk
60 grams butter
1 egg, beaten
4 cups plain flour
1 teaspoon salt
1/4 cup sugar
1/2 teaspoon mixed spice
1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
60 grams sultanas
30 grams currants
Method
1) Cream yeast in a small bowl with 1 teaspoon each of the sugar and flour, add warm milk, mix well. Cover, stand in a warm place for about 15 minutes or until frothy.
2) Sift flour, salt, sugar and spices into a large bowl. Rub in butter, add egg, sultanas and yeast mixture, beat well with a wooden spoon. Cover bowl with a tea towel and stand in a warm place for about 40 minutes or until dough is doubled in size. Punch dough down, turn onto a floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes or until the dough is smooth.
3) Cut into 16 pieces kneading each into a round shape. Place onto a greased square pan and stand in a warm place for about 15 minutes or until buns reach the top edge of the pan.
4) Bake in a hot oven for 20 minutes.
5) To make the glaze – heat 1/3 cup water and 2 tablespoons sugar in a small saucepan over low heat, stirring until sugar dissolves. Bring to the boil and then boil for 5 minutes. Brush warm glaze over warm buns.
6) Crosses – Mix a little milk with 1/2 cup icing sugar, then brush on buns to make crosses.
Easter Song
Hot cross buns!
Hot cross buns!
One a penny, two a penny,
Hot cross buns!
If you have no daughters
Give them to your sons
One a penny, two a penny,
Hot cross buns.