Homemade hot cross buns

These come with a warning on a few levels:

• They taste amazing so be careful you don't eat the whole tray!

• They take a lot of effort and patience to make - much, much more than simply picking up a packet from a supermarket.

• I wouldn't call them 'simple' to make and wouldn't usually post a recipe with this much effort but since it is Easter, many of us are wanting to do something special and this recipe is exactly that, special!

• If you are going to try it - you MUST use 'bakers flour' - not plain flour.  I have made this rookie error a few times because I was just being stubborn but don't waste your time with plain flour - they don't turn out any where near as good. 

I certainly don't blame you if you look at this recipe and think "NO WAY"  but I just wanted to try it and judging by the comments on my earlier post, some of you may want to as well. 

I found this recipe on the Thermomix recipe community website and adapted it to try and cut down a few steps.  (http://www.recipecommunity.com.au/baking-sweet-recipes/best-hot-cross-buns-light-fluffy/152095)

I have included both TMX and non-TMX versions depending on what equipment you have at home. 

Happy Easter and goodluck!!

Amanda xx

INGREDIENTS

Dough

• 4 tsp dry/instant yeast
• 620 g bakers flour - not ordinary plain flour
• 50 g sugar
• 380 g milk
• 1.5 tsp salt
• 2 tsp cinnamon
• 2 tsp mixed spice
• 60 g Butter
• 1 egg
• 250 g sultanas

Paste for Crosses

• 90 g bakers or plain flour
• 100 g water
• 1 pinch salt
• 1 tbsp olive oil

Glaze

• 2 tbsp water
• 2 tbsp sugar

THE THERMOMIX WAY

1.  Add milk and yeast into TMX bowl and heat for 3 mins, 37 degrees, speed 1. 

2.  Add in all other dough ingredients (excl sultanas) and mix for 15 seconds, speed 7. 

3. Knead for 2 mins.

4. Add sultanas and knead for a further minute. 

5. Place in a large bowl, cover and allow to sit somewhere warm for 1 hr or until doubled in size. 

6. Once risen, punch dough down then turn out onto a floured surface and knead with your hands for a few minutes to bring it all together. 

7. Divide dough into approx 18 small balls and place close together on a lined oven tray.

8. Set aside for approx 20 mins and allow buns to rise.

9. Preheat oven to 200 degrees C.  You can now pipe the crosses onto the buns or skip this step altogether.  To make the crosses, mix together flour, water, salt and oil.  Mix for 30 seconds, speed 4. Scoop into a zip lock bag and snip off the end.  Pipe the crosses onto the buns. 

10.  Place in preheated oven for 20 mins or until golden and cooked through. If you feel they are browning a little too quickly, cover the top with baking paper. 

11.  Remove from the oven and make the glaze.  Add water and sugar into TMX and cook 2 mins, 100 degrees, speed 4.   Brush buns with hot syrup. 

AND FINALLY.... EAT!

THE NON-THERMOMIX WAY

I will be honest when I say that I haven't tried this method yet.  I have just converted the TMX version for all of you who don't have one.  The process is the same but you need to use your microwave and electric mixer instead. 

1. Warm the milk in the microwave for 2 mins.  Pour into a large mixing bowl.  Add yeast.  Whisk until combined. 

2.  Add in all other dough ingredients (excl sultanas) and mix together using the dough hooks of your electric mixer. Knead until it is a smooth dough consistency.

3.  Add sultanas and continue to knead until sultanas are incorporated into the dough. 

4.  Cover and set aside somewhere warm for 1 hr or until doubled in size. 

5. Once risen, punch dough down then turn out onto a floured surface and knead with your hands for a few minutes to bring it all together. 

6. Divide dough into approx 18 small balls and place close together on a lined oven tray.

7. Set aside for approx 20 mins and allow buns to rise.

9. Preheat oven to 200 degrees C.  You can now pipe the crosses onto the buns or skip this step altogether.  To make the crosses, mix together flour, water, salt and oil in a bowl.  Whisk until it forms a smooth paste. Scoop into a zip lock bag and snip off the end.  Pipe the crosses onto the buns. 

10.  Place in preheated oven for 20 mins or until golden and cooked through. If you feel they are browning a little too quickly, cover the top with baking paper. 

11.  Remove from the oven and make the glaze.  Add water and sugar into a small bowl and stir to combine. Microwave for 30 seconds, stir until the sugar has dissolved. You may need to microwave again.  Brush buns with hot syrup. 

AND FINALLY.... EAT!