Hot Cross Muffin Buns

Try this light and spicy version of everyone's favourite Easter treat

• Cooking Time Prep 3 hrs
  
• Skill Level Easy
• Servings Makes 9 buns

Nutrition per serving

• Kcalories

  352

• Protein

  10g

• Carbs

  65g

• Fat

  8g

• Saturates

  4g

• Fibre

  2g

• Sugar

  8g

• Salt

  0.54g

Ingredients

• 450g strong white bread flour
• ½ tsp salt
• 50g butter, cut into pieces
• 7g sachet easy-blend dried yeast
• 2 tsp ground mixed spice
• 50g golden caster sugar
• finely grated zest 1 lemon
• 275ml/9fl oz milk, plus extra to glaze
• 2 eggs, beaten
• 200g luxury mixed dried fruits, cherries halved
• For the crosses and glaze
• 2 tbsp plain flour
• golden syrup, to glaze

Directions

1. Put all dough ingredients, except the dried fruit, in the breadmaker, following the order in your manual. Set to dough programme.
2. Once the dough is ready, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and punch down to deflate. Pat into a large flat circle, tip the fruit in the centre and enclose with the dough. Knead the fruit in, cutting through the mixture with a sharp knife, then re-knead a few times to distribute the fruit evenly.
3. Cut out nine 14cm squares of baking parchment and have ready a 12-hole muffin tin. Cut the dough into 9 even-sized pieces and roll each into a smooth ball. Push a square of the parchment into a tin hole and drop in a ball of dough. Repeat with the rest. Cover the tin loosely with lightly-oiled cling film and leave in a warm place for 30-45 minutes or until doubled in size. Preheat oven to fan 180C/ conventional 200C/gas 6.
4. For the crosses, blend the flour to a smooth paste with 5-6 tsp of cold water. Spoon into a small plastic food bag and cut a small hole off one corner or use a piping bag. Pipe crosses on the buns. Bake for 15 minutes or until golden. Lift onto a cooling rack. Brush with a little golden syrup while warm.

Categories: Cakes & Baking, Events, Family & Kids