Hot Cross Buns

Achieve the perfect hot cross buns with our ultimate guide to these fruity easter treats! Cotswold Butter is the perfect accompaniment to spreading on hot cross buns.

Ingredients:

For the buns:

• 300ml Milk
• 50g Cotswold Butter
• 500g Strong Bread Flour
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 75g Caster Sugar
• 1 tablespoon Sunflower Oil
• 7g Yeast
• 1 egg, beaten
• 75g Sultanas
• 50g Mixed Peel
• 1 Orange Zest
• 1 Apple, peeled, cored and finely chopped
• 1 teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
• 1 teaspoon Mixed Spice

For the cross:

• 75g Plain Flour, plus extra for dusting

For the glaze:

• 3 Tablespoon Apricot Jam

Method:

Step 1

Bring the milk to the boil, then remove from the heat and add 50g Cotswold Butter. Leave to cool until it reaches hand temperature. Put 500g strong bread flour, 1 tsp salt, 75g caster sugar and 7g sachet fast-action or easy-blend yeast into a bowl. Make a well in the centre. Pour in the warm milk and butter mixture, then add 1 beaten egg. Using a wooden spoon, mix well, then bring everything together with your hands until you have a sticky dough.

Step 2

Tip on to a lightly floured surface and knead by holding the dough with one hand and stretching it with the heal of the other hand, then folding it back on itself. Repeat for 5 mins until smooth and elastic. Put the dough in a lightly oiled bowl. Cover with oiled cling film and leave to rise in a warm place for 1 hr or until doubled in size and a finger pressed into it leaves a dent.

Step 3

With the dough still in the bowl, tip in 75g sultanas, 50g mixed peel, zest of 1 orange, 1 finely chopped apple, ground cinnamon and mixed spice. Knead into the dough, making sure everything is well distributed. Leave to rise for 1 hr more, or until doubled in size, again covered by some well-oiled cling film to stop the dough getting a crust.

Step 4

Divide the dough into 15 even pieces. Roll each piece into a smooth ball on a lightly floured work surface. Arrange the buns on one or two baking trays lined with parchment, leaving enough space for the dough to expand. Cover with more oiled cling film, or a clean tea towel, then set aside to prove for 1 hour more.

Step 5

Heat oven to 200C. mic 75g plain flour with about 5 tbsp water to make the paste for the cross – add the water 1 tbsp at a time, so you add just enough for a thick paste. Spoon into a piping bag with a small nozzle. Pipe a line along each row of buns, then repeat in the other direction to create crosses. Bake for 18-20 mins on the middle shelf of the oven, until golden brown. If you’re using two trays the lower tray may need a minute or more than the top level tray.

Step 6

Gently heat 3 tbsp apricot jam to melt, then sieve to get rid of any chunks. While the jam is still warm, brush over the top of the warm buns and leave to cool.

Step 7

Serve warm with a generous spread of Cotswold Butter.