Every time I've attempted to bake hot cross buns - they haven't turned out. I had nearly given up till I came across this recipe by author Michael Pryor. Michael writes fantastic novels for young adults, if you haven't read anything of his, check him out!!
Anyways, I came across this recipe and it being Easter and all - decided to make them.
It is a bit time consuming, but then all good things are. These worked out perfectly!!! Soft and moist in the center, slightly crispy on the outside. Filled with a good dollop of real butter, they make a very tasty snack. I have eaten 3 1/2 so far (my daughter scored the other half)
I did change the recipe a tiny bit to suit my tastes.
Ingredients
750g good bread flour. (I used ordinary plain flour)
100g butter, softened.
1 egg yolk.
2 tspn ground cinnamon.
1 tspn ginger, powdered
1 tspn ground nutmeg.
1 tspn ground allspice.
100g brown sugar.
Pinch salt.
2 sachets dried yeast.
2 cups of warm (not too warm) water. (I used 1 3/4 water 1/4 milk)
*If you want fruit in them, the add 2 cups*
Method
1) Mix together the flour, spices, salt, sugar, yeast, (fruit - if using) in a big bowl. Rub the butter through the flour/spice/yeast/fruit mixture till crumbly.
2) Mix water and egg yolk together and gradually add to the flour while mixing.
3) Combine everything together until it comes together. The mixture should start to come away from the sides
of the bowl though you may need to add a little more flour at this stage.
4) Turn the mixture ball out onto a floured bench and knead for about ten minutes. The dough will begin to be shiny and elastic.
5) Wash out the bowl you used earlier and grease it with butter. Put the dough back
in and cover the bowl with plastic wrap. Leave to rise. This will take a couple of hours, the dough should have doubled in size.Then punch the dough down and knead it a little.
6) Divide the dough in half. Take each half and form into twelve balls.
7) To bake the buns, put them into a slightly greased baking tin and leave the buns to rise. Let them double in size this will be about an hour.
8) Make a batter of flour and water, pop into a piping bag and paint crosses on the buns. ( I used a glad bag with the tip cut off)
9) Cook in a 200C degree oven for 25 minutes.
As Mr Pryor suggests
Serve with butter, not margarine, for best effect.
Seriously, these are worth the time to make them! Go give them a try!!
