Keyword Baking, easter, fruit buns, hot cross buns, Snacks
Prep Time 30 minutesminutes
Cook Time 20 minutesminutes
Proving Time 3 hourshours
Total Time 3 hourshours50 minutesminutes
Servings 12Buns
Ingredients
Buns
300mlMilkHeated Up
50gUnsalted ButterMelted
500gStrong Bread Flour
1tspSalt
75gCaster sugar
7gFast-Action Yeast
1Egg
75gSultanas
50gGlaced CherriesWashed and Dried
1ApplePeeled, Cored and Finely Chopped
Cross
75gPlain Flourplus extra for dusting
5tbspWatermay need more
Instructions
Heat up the milk in the microwave until it is hot then. Melt your butter then add this to the milk and stir until fully incorporated.
Put the strong bread flour, salt, caster sugar and yeast into a bowl. Make a well in the centre. Pour in the warm milk and butter mixture, then add the beaten egg.
Using a wooden spoon, mix well, then bring everything together with your hands until you have a sticky dough.
Tip on to a lightly floured surface and knead by holding the dough with one hand and stretching it with the heal of the other hand, then folding it back on itself.
Repeat for 5 mins until smooth and elastic. Put the dough in a lightly oiled bowl. .
Cover with oiled cling film and leave to rise in a warm place for 1 hr or until doubled in size and a finger pressed into it leaves a dent.
With the dough still in the bowl, tip in the sultanas, glaced cherries and the chopped apple. Knead into the dough, making sure everything is well distributed.
Leave to rise for 1 hr more, or until doubled in size, again covered by some well-oiled cling film to stop the dough getting a crust.
Divide the dough into 12 even pieces. Roll each piece into a smooth ball on a lightly floured work surface.
Arrange the buns on one or two baking trays lined with parchment, leaving enough space for the dough to expand.
Cover (but don’t wrap) with more oiled cling film, or a clean tea towel, then set aside to prove for 1 hr more.
Heat oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Mix 75g plain flour with about 5 tbsp water to make the paste for the cross.*
Spoon into a piping bag with a small nozzle. Pipe a line along each row of buns, then repeat in the other direction to create crosses.
Bake for 20 mins on the middle shelf of the oven, until golden brown.
Notes
*Add the water 1 tbsp at a time, so you add just enough for a thick paste.