While this recipe isn’t a traditional hot cross bun recipe, you can’t go wrong with these tasty treats.
The traditional flour cross has been replaced with a jam glaze and icing cross which make these buns simply delicious.
This recipe is perfect for anyone who doesn’t eat eggs – be it due to allergies or dietary choices.
STEP 1: Gather all your ingredients.
Ingredients
1/2 cup of water.
1 package of active dry yeast.
1 cup buttermilk at room temperature.
2 tbsp white sugar (brown works just as well).
1/2tsp baking powder.
1tsp salt.
1tsp cinnamon (or more if, like me, you love the taste of the cinnamon in these buns).
1tsp nutmeg.
1/3 cup of butter or margarine, melted.
3 and 2/3 cups of all purpose flour.
2/3 cup of raisins.
1/3 cup mixed peel. If you prefer not to use the peel simply make up the difference with additional raisins.
5tbps apricot jam.
Icing sugar as needed.
Method
STEP 2: Measure the water into a large bowl and sprinkle the yeast over the top. Let stand for 5 minutes to dissolve the yeast. Bread machine yeast works just as well but you need to stir the yeast into the water to dissolve it).
STEP 3: Stir in the buttermilk, sugar, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and butter.
STEP 5: Mix in one cup of flour until well blended. Gradually mix in the remaining flour until the dough is stiff enough to take out of the bowl and knead on a floured surface.
STEP 6: Knead the dough until smooth and elastic (about 5 minutes).
STEP 7: Place in a greased bowl turning to coat and cover with a tea towel. Let dough rise in a warm place until doubled in size (about 1 hour).
STEP 9: Preheat the oven to 190 degrees Celsius (do not use thermos fan setting). Remove towels and bake buns for 20 minutes.
STEP 10: Remove from oven and turn oven off.
Step 11: Melt jam until it is liquid and glaze each bun with the jam. Return to the oven for a further 5 minutes (oven switched off)
STEP 12: Allow to cool. While buns are cooling mix icing sugar and a little water to make a thick icing. Put the icing into a icing bag or thick plastic bag (if using a plastic bag cut a small hole in the corner) and pipe crosses onto your bun. Just like the bowl of the Christmas cake mixture, your children will enjoy licking the icing off the board.
STEP 12: Switch on the kettle and enjoy your buns with your favourite tea time beverage.
