I love Hot Cross Buns.  Years ago there was a bakery near my flat that baked the very best Hot Cross Buns, huge, glazed and sticky. I am yet to find anywhere here that sells them, so we decided to try making our own.  It is quite a long process but definitely worth it and a nice introduction to bread making for the children.

You will Need

Makes 24    nb. 1 cup = 1/2 pint or 1/2 lb  or  230 g (approx.)

3 sachets of yeast

3/4 cup of warm water

1 1/8 cup of warm milk

1/2 cup butter (melted)

1/2 cup sugar

2 1/4 tsp salt

1 1/2 tsp cinnamon

6 cups of flour (2 of bread flour and 4 of plain/all purpose flour)

1 1/2 cups oats

1 1/2 cups raisins

1 1/2 beaten eggs

Glaze

1 cup icing (powdered) sugar

1/4 tsp vanilla essence

2 tbsp. milk

Instructions

1. Dissolve the yeast in the water and sprinkle in a little sugar
2. Melt butter

3. Combine milk, butter, sugar, salt and cinnamon

4. Stir in 1 cup of flour, oats, raisins, egg and dissolved yeast.

 

5. Keep adding flour until it makes a soft dough. Knead, place in a greased bowl and cover for 1 hour.

6. Press it down then let it rest.

7. Form into balls and add a dough cross. Let them rise uncovered for 45 minutes

8. Glaze with egg white and bake at 400 degrees F/ Gas mark 6  for 10-12 mins

9. When cooled combine the ingredients for the glaze and brush on the top. Leave for 5 minutes.

They were very popular; I may never get away with a shop bought bun again.