British hot cross buns –Are you ready to dive into the heavenly world of baked goods? Brace yourselves, because we are making Hot Cross Buns! These beauties are not just your ordinary rolls; they are packed with rich flavors and a sprinkle of nostalgia. So, roll up your sleeves and let’s bake our hearts out!
Let’s Get Bready!
First, feast your eyes on this delightful creation:
Now that you’re sufficiently drooling, let’s talk about what you need to whip up some of these scrumptious buns!
Ingredients:
- 500g strong white bread flour
- 75g sugar
- 10g salt
- 10g mixed spice powder
- 10g instant yeast
- 300ml milk, lukewarm
- 50g unsalted butter, melted
- 1 large egg
- 200g mixed dried fruit (sultanas, raisins, currants)
- 50g glacé cherries, chopped
- For the cross: 75g plain flour and water
- For the glaze: 75g apricot jam
Instructions:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt, and mixed spice powder. Make a well in the center.
- In another bowl, mix the lukewarm milk with the melted butter and egg. Add this mixture into the well you made in the dry ingredients.
- Sprinkle the yeast on top and mix everything until it forms a dough. Don’t be shy, get your hands in there!
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 10 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic. Feeling strong yet?
- Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm spot for about an hour, or until it doubles in size. Time to grab a snack while you wait!
- Once risen, punch it down (gently, please!) and knead in the dried fruit and cherries.
- Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces and shape each into a bun. Place them on a lined baking tray, making sure they’re snug but not overcrowded.
- Cover with a damp cloth and leave to rise for another 30 minutes. More waiting, but it’ll be worth it!
- Preheat your oven to 220°C (or 200°C for fan ovens). While it’s heating up, mix the plain flour with water to create a paste for the crosses. Pipe this mixture onto the buns in a cross shape.
- Bake your buns for about 20 minutes until golden brown. Your kitchen is about to smell heavenly!
- To make them shine, gently warm the apricot jam in a pan and brush it over the hot buns right after they come out of the oven.
- Let cool slightly before devouring them all, or share if you’re feeling generous.
And there you have it! Your very own batch of delightful Hot Cross Buns, perfect for any occasion (or just because you want to treat yourself). Enjoy!