Hot Cross Buns

Other than a song we all learn to play on the recorder in primary school, hot cross buns are a staple on almost every Easter breakfast table. It's basically raisin toast in bun form, with a flour paste cross on top! They're pretty easy to make if you have a couple of hours, and you must have them hot with butter. They are called HOT cross buns after all! Have a happy Easter!

HOT CROSS BUNS

Place the dry ingredients into your mixer:

- 3 cups plain flour
- 1 cup raisins
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 2 tsp dry yeast
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 tsp each of cinnamon, nutmeg and all-spice
Slowly mix in 50g melted butter, 1 cup of warm milk and 1 beaten egg
Knead for 10 minutes

Place the dough in a greased bowl, covered in cling wrap

Leave in a warm place to rise for about 1 hour

Knead again, then shape into equal sized buns - I made about 10

Place dough balls onto a greased baking tray and cover in cling wrap

Leave in a warm place to rise for about half an hour

Pipe crosses onto the buns with a paste of 1/3 cup flour and enough water to make a paste

Bake at 190C for 20 minutes

To make the glaze bring 1/4 cup sugar in 1/4 cup water to the boil

Brush over the buns fresh from the oven