Nice buns

photography by: Louis Hiemstra

Hot-cross buns smothered with butter are a favorite at Easter time. Try this delicious cranberry and orange variation.

Preparation time: 1 hour
Baking time: 20-25 minutes
Makes: 16 buns

For the dough
300ml (10 fl oz) lukewarm milk
60g (2 oz) butter
560g (20 oz) cake flour (all purpose)
1 tsp salt
2 tsp mixed spice
2 tsp cinnamon spice
5 Tbsp sugar
10g (0.35 oz) instant yeast
1 large egg, lightly beaten
½ cup dried cranberries
Zest of 1 large orange

Paste for crosses
110g (3.8 oz) cake flour
1 Tbsp castor sugar
½ cup water

Glaze
4 Tbsp smooth apricot jam, melted

Prepare the dough
Heat the milk and butter together and leave to cool slightly
Sift the flour, salt and spices. Add the sugar and yeast and combine well
Stir the milk into the flour mixture, add the egg and combine well.
Add the cranberries and orange zest and knead dough on lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes.
Place the dough in a large lightly greased bowl, cover with a damp dishcloth and leave to rise for 30 minutes.
Preheat the oven to 200°C (390°F) and grease a large baking tin.
Divide the dough into 16 pieces and knead each piece on a lightly floured surface.
Shape into a round bun-shape and place on greased baking tin. Set aside to rise until double in size, about 15-20 minutes.

Prepare the paste
Make the flour paste by mixing together the flour, sugar and water to form a smooth paste. Spoon the paste into a piping bag, fitted with a small nozzle and pipe crosses onto each bun

Prepare the hot cross buns
Bake hot cross buns for 20-25 minutes
Brush the tops of the buns with the warm apricot jam, while the buns are still hot
Serve warm with butter

Notes:
Always use fresh yeast and leave your dough to rise in an area that is warm but not too hot.
For a delicious spiced butter to serve with your hot cross buns, combine ½ cup softened butter with 4 tsp honey, ½ tsp cinnamon and 1 ml mixed spice. Spoon into ramekins and chill. Serve with hot cross buns.

Kid-friendly:
Weighing, measuring, pouring, cracking, tasting. It's all in here and they can definitely lend a hand.

Variation:
Chocolate chip hot cross buns
For a decadent variety, add 2 tsp vanilla essence to the milk mixture, substitute the cranberries and orange zest with 1/2 cup chocolate chips, omit the mixed spices and reduce the cinnamon to 1 tsp. Use melted chocolate to pipe your crosses onto your buns after baking.

photography by: Louis Hiemstra