Hot Cross Buns

An easter classic that should be eaten all year around!

Preheat oven to 425°F

Bake time: 15-20 mins

Makes 12 buns

Ingredients:

- 500g all-purpose flour

- 75g sugar

- 1 tsp ground cinnamon

- 2 tsp mixed spice powder

- 1 lemon zest

- 1 orange zest

- 10g salt

- 10g Instant active dry yeast or 30g of fresh yeast

- 40g melted unsalted butter

- 300ml warm 2% or whole milk (approx.)

- 1 egg

- 200g raisins/sultanas

Hot Cross topping ingredients:

- 75g flour

- 100ml cold water

Glaze ingredient:

- Golden syrup

Directions: Mix all dry ingredients with the yeast and zest in a mixing bowl with a dough hook attachment.

Add all wet ingredients in and 75% of the milk to start.

You may need to add more or less depending on your flour and the weather. Different flours from different parts of the world can act differently so you may need to use a little less or a little more depending on the brand you are using. Also when making any bread, weather can be a factor. I know it sounds weird but in the summer time, at least here on the west coast, it can get quite dry so you may need to use a little more liquid compared to the winter time where it is more damp and you may need to use a little less.

Mix well on medium speed for 7 minutes until dough is well combined. Then add raisins and mix well.

Transfer dough into a bowl that is lightly greased to prevent sticking.

Cover with plastic wrap and place in a warm place for approximately 90 mins or until double in size. After it has doubled in size, punch the dough down and divide evenly into 12 dough balls that weigh approximately 100g per piece. Roll each piece into balls and place onto a lined baking sheet either with a silpat or parchment.

Place 6 balls together in 2 bunches for a total of 12. Cover with plastic wrap again and let rise again for approximately 60 minutes. After 60 minutes and the dough balls have increased in size, then pipe the hot cross bun topping in a cross pattern and bake.

Preheat oven to 425°F and bake for 15 - 20 minutes.

Once the buns are done baking, they should look nice and golden brown. Take them out of the oven and immediately brush the tops with golden syrup while the buns are still hot and let them cool on a baking rack.