Hot Cross Buns

Happy Easter everyone.

I am a fan of Hot Cross Buns so thought I would try making my own. I have a bread machine so I used a recipe that came with that, of course with a few minor adjustments. You will need:

340ml water
2 tblspn oil
2 tspns salt
3 tblspn brown sugar
4 cups bread flour
3 tblspn milk powder
1 tblspn ground mixed spice
1 tblspn ground cinnamon
2 1/4 tspns dried yeast
1 1/4 cups sultanas
1/4 cup mixed peel

Batter for crosses:
2 tblspn water
1/4 cup plain flour

I made two batches, the first only had sultanas and I didn't add the mixed spice. The second batch I added half a tblspn of mixed spice, and some chocolate chips!

Now, because I cheated and used the bread machine to make the dough, these were really simple, because you just throw everything in (and add the fruit at the beep), and out comes the dough. Then:

Divide the dough into 18 pieces (I only got 15) and shape into rounds. Place close together on a lightly greased baking tray.



Cover loosely with lightly greased plastic wrap and leave to stand in a warm area for 20 mins.

Blend 'cross' batter until smooth. Spoon into a piping bag fitted with a small piping nozzle. Remove wrap and pipe a cross onto each bun. (I actually rolled the batter by hand.)

Bake in preheated oven at 190 c for 15 to 20 mins.

Enjoy!