Hot Cross Buns

Makes 12

Ingredients:

1 tbsp dried active yeast
1 tsp sugar
125ml warm water

350g strong white flour
100g strong wholemeal flour
1/2 tsp salt
2 tsps mixed spice
50g caster sugar
75g sultanas
75g dried apricots, chopped
75g mixed peel

125ml warm milk
50g butter, melted
1 egg, beaten

Piping paste

4 tbsps unbleached white flour
1 tbsp caster sugar
2 tbsps cold water

Glazes

1 egg yolk +1 tablespoon milk

2 tbsps sugar + 2 tbsps water

Method:

In a bowl mix the dried yeast with the sugar and add the warm water, whisk, cover with clingfilm and leave in a warm place until frothy which takes about 10-15minutes.

In a large mixing bowl, sieve the flour and add the salt, mixed spice, caster sugar, sultanas, dried apricots and mixed peel.

Make a well in the centre and pour in the frothy yeast, warm milk, melted butter and beaten egg. Mix well with your hands into a sticky dough.

Lightly flour a work surface, turn the dough out and kneed the dough for 5minutes until soft and smooth.

Place the dough in a clean oiled bowl, cover with cling film and leave in a warm place for 60minutes until it has doubled in size.

Turn the dough out on a lightly floured surface and gently kneed the dough. Roll the dough into a sausage and divide up into 12 equal pieces, using scales to be precise.

Roll each piece into a round ball.

Line a baking tray or two with baking parchment and arrange the balls in lines, not quite touching. Leave in a warm place to rise for 45minutes or until the buns have doubled in size.

While the dough is rising preheat the oven to 220C and make the piping paste.

To make the piping paste, mix the flour sugar and water together into a smooth paste.

Put into a piping bag fitted with a small, plain nozzle.

Beat the egg yolk and milk together for the egg wash.

When the buns have risen, make a indent of a cross on each bun using a blunt knife. Brush with the egg wash and then pipe a cross on each bun.

Put the buns in the oven and bake for 20 minutes or until they are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped.

While the buns are baking, make the sticky glaze. Dissolve the sugar in the water over a low heat.

As soon as the buns come out brush them with the glaze. Transfer to a wire rack with out pulling them apart and leave to cool.

When cool enough pull apart, slice in half and butter.