Step by step spiced orange hot cross buns

Hot cross buns are easy to make but it does take a bit of time to let the dough prove. Not recommended if you are in a hurry.

I tend to make hot cross buns a few time a year not just on Easter. They are great toasted with butter.

You will need the following:

650g strong white bread flour
100g of mixed fruit
50g mixed peel
1 tsp salt
6 tsp mixed spice (cinnamon, coriander seed, nutmeg)
60g unsalted butter
7g / 1 tsp yeast
zest of 1 orange
100g caster sugar
1 medium sized egg
400 ml milk

For the cross

9 tbs flour (levelled tablespoons)
7 tbs cold water

The ingredients.

In a mixing bowl add 6 tsp mixed spice (cinnamon, coriander seed, nutmeg) to 650g strong white bread flour.

Add 1tsp salt.

Add 60g unsalted butter.

Use your fingers to mix in the butter.

Make a well by pushing the flour to the sides of the bowl.

Add 7g / 1 tsp yeast.

Add 100g caster sugar.

Add the zest of 1 orange.

Add 1 medium egg.

Add 400ml milk.

Mix the ingredients together.

Once your ingredients are mixed, knead your dough for 5 minutes.

After kneading the dough, place it on a lightly floured surface.

Add 100g of mixed fruit and 50g mixed peel to the dough.

Work the fruits into the dough.

Stretch the dough as much as you can.

Knead and stretch the dough for 5 minutes making sure all the fruits are incorporated into the dough.

Place the dough in a buttered bowl. Cover with a cloth and leave in a warm place to rise for 1.5 hours.

After 1.5 hours turn out the dough.

Cut and roll the dough into balls. You should be able to get about 15 depending on the size.

Cover with cling film and leave to rise for another hour.

Carefully remove the cling film. Now the crosses can be added.

Add 9 tbs flour (levelled tablespoons) to a mixing bowl.

Add 7 tbs cold water.

Mix together until the mixture is smooth. Add to a piping bag (I am using one for macaroons, which works quite well).

Slowly add the crosses to the buns.

Next we need to glaze the buns. I used spiced orange marmalade, but any marmalade will do. Do this as soon as the buns come out of the oven.

Glaze the buns as soon as they come out of the oven, while they are still hot.

Hope you enjoy!