Easter Recipes > Hot Cross Buns

How to make hot cross buns:
These buns were another speciality of the Chelsea Bun House and were famously bought by George II and George III. The Romans made crosses in festival bread and this custom is still seen in the Hot Cross Bun which is traditionally eaten on Good Friday. The shape of the bun (round) probably represented the sun and the four portions divided out by the cross may have stood for the four seasons of the year. These buns were kept and dried and were supposed to be a good cure for stomach complaints by dint of the fact that they were baked on a Holy Day.

Hot Cross Buns



Ingredients

4 cups (1lb) flour
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon mixed spice
4 tablespoons (2oz) butter
1 tablespoon caster/superfine sugar
3 tablespoons mixed fruit
1 dessertspoon candied peel
1 egg
1/2 pint milk
1 sachet of Hovis Fast Action Bread Yeast
2oz shortcrust pastry
a little milk and sugar mixed for brushing
a little sugar syrup for glazing after baking
(see measure conversions for more information)

Method

- Roll out the 2oz shortcrust pastry and make 1/2 inch pastry crosses.
- Put crosses to one side.
- Sift the flour, salt and mixed spice into a bowl.
- Rub in the butter and add the fruit, candied peel and sugar.
- Add the sachet of yeast.
- Warm milk to blood heat.
- Pour the warmed milk into the flour mixture.
- Stir well.
- Add the egg and beat well until a soft dough is formed.
- Cover and leave in a warm place to rise for one hour.
- Knead on a floured board and divide into twelve buns.
- Flatten tops slightly.
- Using a pastry brush brush the top of the buns with the milk and sugar mix.
- Press a pastry cross onto the top of each bun.
- Place on a greased baking tin and leave to prove for twenty minutes in a warm place.
- Bake at 200 degrees centigrade (see temperature conversions) for approx. twenty minutes.
- When cool, glaze with a little sugar syrup.




Subscribe to Newsletter | Archive