Chef johns hot cross buns –Are you ready to embark on a tasty journey that involves mixing, kneading, and marveling at the power of yeast? Hold onto your mixing bowls because we’re diving into the world of Traditional Hot Cross Buns! These festive treats are perfect for sharing and are even better when you put a little twist of rebellious fun into baking. So, let’s roll up our sleeves and get started!
Picture Perfect Hot Cross Buns
Just look at these beauties, fresh out of the oven and ready to take the spotlight!
The Ingredients for Success
Gather these delightful goodies and get ready to take your taste buds on a joyride:
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast (or 1 packet)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
- 2 large eggs, beaten
- 1 cup milk, warmed
- 1/4 cup butter, melted
- 1 cup mixed dried fruit (currants, raisins, or whatever tickles your fancy)
- 1/4 cup candied orange peel, chopped
- For the glaze: 1/4 cup apricot preserves
- For the cross: 1/2 cup flour and enough water to make a paste
Instructions That’s Almost as Fun as Eating!
Now that we’re all stocked up, let’s get our hands doughy and our hearts happy:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, instant yeast, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Whisk it like you mean it!
- Make a little well in the center and add the beaten eggs, warmed milk, and melted butter. Mix until it looks like a dough that could party.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 8-10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Think of it as the dough version of a workout!
- Pop the dough into a greased bowl, cover it, and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size (about 1 hour). Your kitchen will smell divine during this time!
- Once the dough is ready, punch it down and mix in the dried fruits and candied orange peel. Channel your inner fruit juggler!
- Shape the dough into 12 equal buns and place them on a greased baking sheet. Let them rise again until they puff up (about 30 minutes).
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) while you prepare the cross by mixing 1/2 cup flour with just enough water to form a paste. Use a piping bag to pipe crosses on top of the buns.
- Bake for about 20 minutes until golden brown and the house smells like heaven.
- While they cool, warm up the apricot preserves and glaze the top of each bun for that glossy finish.
And there you have it! These scrumptious Traditional Hot Cross Buns are ready to be devoured. Whether you’re sharing them with friends, family, or just indulging all by yourself, each bite is a delightful blend of sweet, spicy, and oh-so-good! Happy baking!