One a penny, two a penny - hot cross buns! (Baking)

Member Name: azana

Product:	Baking
Date:	01/04/09 (188 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: yummy

Disadvantages: er easier to buy ready made

I know, I know you can buy hot cross buns for £1.20 for 12 from Tesco, but indulge me if you will - I'm in need of comfort food today so have just baked these little beauties slightly adapted from a good food recipe. They smell and taste delicious and weren't that difficult to make - honestly.

I used the cheapest sultanas from Morrisons, which were 65p for 500g and seem to be fine, and own brand flour. I reckon they probably didn't cost that much more to make and besides, they taste so much nicer!

Here's what you need to do to have delicious Easter bun smells wafting through your house and have your own "I AM Nigella" moment.

Ingredients:
500g strong white bread flour
50g caster sugar
½ tsp salt
2 tsp mixed spice
50g butter , cut into cubes
200g sultanas/mixed dried fruits - whichever you like most
7g sachet easy-blend dried yeast
200ml milk
2 eggs

You will need some more plain flour and water for the actual crosses - panic not the crosses are easily put on the buns. You also can glaze with syrup at the end if you want to be really flash.

Method:

1) Put the flour and butter in a bowl and rub in with your fingers and add the spices and the sugar and the salt.
2) Add the sultanas and yeast and stir in.
3) Heat the milk so it is very warm but not too hot to put your finger in - if like me you overheat let it stand a while.
4) Add the eggs (beaten) to the milk and stir the whole thing into the mix - use a table knife to stir until well mixed.
5) Let it stand for a bit and then on a floured surface shape into 8-10 buns.
6) Put the buns onto a baking sheet - I lined mine with baking paper - and leave to stand for about 45 mins to one hour, if you put a clean damp tea towel or cling film over them it will help them rise . Turn the oven on to 200 C (fan) 220 C or gas mark 7
7) Make a paste of some flour and water - about 3tbsp of flour to 2 water and put it into a ziplock bag which you have cut the corner off - to make a small hole and dribble on crosses in a confident manner.
8) Bake for about 12-15 mins until risen and browned.
9) If you want brush with honey or syrup.

Eat slightly warm or you can toast them in the traditional way later.

I would have to say my husband laughed when I said I was making these but once he had tasted them he was in awe of my baking skills - so give them a go, tis seasonal you know!

Summary: If I can manage these anyone can