Orange & Cranberry Hot Cross Buns

Why buy store-bought hot cross muffins that contain all sorts of rising agents, thickeners and additives and not to mention loaded with sugar, when you can make your own flavorsome hot cross buns, and the bonus is you get to enjoy them piping hot straight from the oven. Enjoy!

Created by on April 15, 2022

Ingredients

  • 1 finely zested orange (no white pith)
  • 3 teaspoons mixed spice (cinnamon, nutmeg & allspice)
  • 1 egg
  • 50 grams caster sugar
  • 70 grams butter
  • 1 pinch salt
  • 1 tablespoon dried instant yeast
  • 250 grams full cream milk
  • 500 grams bakers flour
  • 250 gms dried cranberries

Instructions

  1. Combine 100gms bakers flour and the zest of 1 orange is bowl, mix well with a wooden spoon and set aside.
  2. In a large bowl add the milk (needs to be warmed up) and the yeast and stir.
  3. Then add the flour and orange zest mix along with the remaining baker\'s flour (400gms), salt, butter, caster sugar, egg, mixed spice and mix well with a wooden spoon.
  4. Add in the cranberries and continue to mix into the dough, then transfer the dough to a chopping board or clean bench and knead well adding extra flour to help you.
  5. Knead until it forms a nice ball shape then place back into the bowl and cover for 30 mins.
  6. Meanwhile preheat your oven to 210 degrees.
  7. Make the piping mix (the crosses) by combining 80gms plain flour, 1 pinch salt, 1 tsp olive oil and 100g water into a bowl and mix well with a fork.
  8. Pour the mixture into a piping bag or a sandwhich bag and snip off the corner. Set this aside.
  9. After the dough has proved for 30 minutes, knock it down with your fist and divide into 12 equal sized pieces. Form into rolls and place close together onto prepared baking tray then set aside to prove again for another 30 minutes.
  10. Once the dough has finished proving, pipe the mixture to make the crosses ontop of the balls of dough.
  11. Place in a hot oven, 210 degrees and bake for 10-15 miutes or until golden brown.
  12. Make the syrup mixture by placing 2 tblsp water and 2 tbsp sugar into a small saucepan and cook for 2 minutes stirring occassionally.
  13. Using a pastry brush apply the hot sugar syrup onto buns when they have finished cooking. Best to do this whilst the buns are still hot.
  14. Allow to cool on the tray for 5 mins before transferring onto a wire rack. Serve warm.