Easter Hot Cross Buns Recipe

Your guide on how to make your very own sweet spiced buns

Nothing says Easter eating like a toasted hot cross bun with melting butter.

Though it’s said the cross on the buns represents the Christian crucifixion – less than delectable imagery – the simple truth remains, these spicy Easter pastries are delicious. Try them alongside another Easter favourite: pickled fish.

Ingredients
2 cups white bread flour, plus extra for dusting
2 cups all-purpose white flour
1/2 cup warm water
1/2 cup warm milk
1 1/2 teaspoons instant yeast
2/3 cup raisins, currants, or golden raisins (or a mix)
Finely grated zest of half an orange
1/4 heaping teaspoon each of cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice
2 teaspoons fine salt
3 1/2 tablespoons castor sugar
1 medium egg
3 1/2 tablespoons butter

In a bowl, combine the flours, water, milk, yeast, salt, and sugar. Add the egg and butter and mix to a sticky dough.

Then, add the dried fruit, orange zest, and spices and knead until silky and smooth. Cover the dough and let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, until doubled in size.

Deflate the risen dough and divide into 8 equal pieces. Shape into rounds and dust with flour. Place on a floured board, cover with plastic wrap or cloth and let proof for about 30 minutes until roughly doubled in size.

Preheat the oven to 200 °C. To make the crosses, whisk together flour and water until smooth, then transfer to a pastry bag and snip off the end to make a fine hole (or use a plastic food bag with a corner snipped off). Transfer the risen buns to a baking sheet and pipe a cross on top of each one, then bake for 15 to 20 minutes.

Meanwhile, melt jam and water in a pan. Brush over the buns to glaze as you take them from the oven. Transfer to a wire rack to cool. Serve hot, cross, or toasted.

By Adri de Kock

... 

You might also like this delectable snoek braai recipe.

For more things to whip up in the kitchen check out our recipe section and for updates on happenings in and around Cape Town be sure to subscribe to our newsletter, follow us on Twitter, like us on Facebook, join our Google+ circle, connect with us on LinkedIn and check out our Pinterest boards for updates.