Hot cross buns

Hot Cross Buns are sweet buns that are a staple of the English tradition and are traditionally served during the Easter period. Before moving on to the recipe, here is an Italian touch you might consider: you could add a bit of grated orange or lemon zest to give a citrusy accent to this classic recipe.

Ingredients

• 500 g of strong flour (wheat flour type “0” or “Manitoba”)
• 75 g of caster sugar
• 2 teaspoons of dried yeast
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon of grated nutmeg
• 1/2 teaspoon of ground cloves
• Grated zest of 1 orange and 1 lemon (optional)
• 300 ml of warm milk
• 50 g of unsalted butter, melted
• 1 lightly beaten egg
• 150 g of raisins or mixed fruit
• 1 peeled apple, grated finely
• Flour and water for the cross
• A bit of honey or maple syrup for glazing

Preparation

1. In a large bowl, mix the flour, sugar, yeast, salt, and spices. Also add the grated zest of orange and lemon if you decide to use it.
2. Make a well in the center of the mixture of dry ingredients and add the warm milk, melted butter and egg. Incorporate the ingredients until you get a homogeneous dough.
3. Add the raisins (or mixed fruits) and grated apple to the dough and knead until they are well distributed.
4. Transfer the dough to a floured surface and continue to knead for about 5 minutes or until it becomes smooth and elastic.
5. Place the dough in a clean, oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in volume.
6. Deflate the dough and divide it into 12 equal pieces. Round each piece into a bun shape and place them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
7. Cover again with a damp cloth and let rise for another 30 minutes.
8. Prepare the paste for the crosses by mixing flour and water until you get a thick but workable mixture. Put the paste into a piping bag and draw a cross on each bun.
9. Bake the buns in a preheated oven at 220 °C (425 °F) for about 15-20 minutes or until they become golden brown.
10. While the buns are still warm, brush them with a bit of honey or maple syrup to give them a nice shine.

Curiosity

It is said that Hot Cross Buns bring good luck. Sharing a hot cross bun with someone is supposed to ensure friendship for the coming year. Also, it is believed that these buns hung in the kitchen can protect from negative forces and prevent the buns from spoiling in the year ahead.