Hot Cross Buns

Fri, 1 April 2022

Eoin Cluskey's Hot Cross Buns

Makes 21 buns

Ingredients

1kg Flour

600g Milk

40g Fresh yeast

20g salt

20g Brown sugar

50g Butter

200g Sultanas

50g Mixed peel

1 tsp cinnamon

½ tsp Nutmeg

2 eggs

Flour Cross

50g  flour or bread flour

90-120ml water

Orange Icing

5 tablespoons water

5 Tablespoons marmalade

Method

1. Prepare the dough. Add flour, milk, fresh yeast, eggs, cinnamon, nutmeg, brown sugar and salt to your mixing bowl. Ensure the yeast and salt are not touching as salt has a retarding effect on the activity of the yeast.

2. Using the dough hook, mix at low to medium speed until a dough begins to form. Beat at low speed until the dough comes together and pulls away from the sides of the bowl, about 4/5 minutes, then slowly add your butter in small pieces until it is all fully incorporated. Lastly add fruit.

3. 1st Rise: Lightly grease a large bowl with oil or nonstick spray. Place the dough in the bowl, turning it to coat all sides in the oil. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel. Allow the dough to rise in a relatively warm environment for 1-2 hours or double in size.

4. Grease a 9×13-inch baking pan or two 9-inch square or round baking pans.

5. Shape the rolls: When the dough is ready, punch it down to release the air. Divide the dough into 100g equal pieces or 22 dough balls. Shape each piece into a smooth ball, pinching it on the bottom to seal. Arrange in a prepared baking pan.

6. 2nd Rise: Cover shaped rolls with a clean kitchen towel. Allow to rise until puffy, about 1 hour.

7. Preheat oven to 350°F (177°C).

8. Add the cross: Whisk the cross ingredients together, starting with 6 Tablespoons of water. You want a thick paste that will pipe easily. Add remaining water if needed. Spoon paste into a piping bag or zipped-top bag. Snip off a small piece at the corner. Pipe a line down the center of each row of buns, then repeat in the other direction to create crosses.

9. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown on top. Remove from the oven and allow rolls to cool for a few minutes as you prepare the icing.

10. Make the glaze, warm the ingredients in a saucepan together, then drizzle or brush on warm rolls. Serve immediately.