How to make the most PERFECT fruity Hot Cross Buns this Easter

Struggling to find any Hot Cross Buns in the shops as you've left it too late? Not to worry..

By the way, yes, we know we specialise in condiments but we thought we'd get our Chef to russle up some Hot Cross Buns as it is Easter after all.

Our Hot Cross Buns are tradionally spiced with the most gorgeous glazing brushed on top.

It's probably alot easier than you may think, all you need to make 12 of the delicious traditional Easter treats is:

For the Hot Cross Buns

• 625g flour
• 1tsp salt
• 2tsp cinnamon
• 45g unsalted butter
• 85g caster sugar
• Zest of 1 lemon
• 1.5tsp dried fast-action yeast
• 1 egg (free range, of course!)
• 275ml non-dairy milk
• 125g sultanas

For the glazing

• 2tbsp plain flour
• 1tbsp golden syrup

Method:

1. Firstly, you'll want to mix together the flour, salt and cinnamon in a large bowl
2. Add in the butter, and mix all together using your fingertips
3. Create a hole in the middle of the mixture that you have created and pour in the sugar, lemon zest and yeast. Add in the beaten egg along with the non-dairy milk. Mix this all together to create a soft dough
4. Place the dough onto a lightly-floured work top and turn it out
5. Add in the sultanas and mix throughout until they are distributed evenly. Knead your creation until it becomes smooth and 'doughie'
6. Grease large mixing bowl with some butter. Shape your dough to form a round ball and place into the greased bowl. Prove the dough by leaving a tea towel over the bowl for 1 hour
7. Take out the ball-shaped dough and on a floured work top, and knock it back
8. Shape the dough back in to a ball and return to the gresed bowl, covered with a tea towel for a further 30 mins, allowing it to rise
9. Take the dough once more, and divide it into 12 equally sized peices
10. Roll each of the 12 peices into a ball, and begin to flatten each ball into the shape of a Hot Cross Bun
11. Once you've done this for all 12 Hot Cross Buns, place a tea towel over them again and leave for 10 mins
12. Grease a baking tray and place the 12 buns in
13. Wrap the baking tray in baking paper, and then place this inside a clear plastic bag, tying the bag up and leave for around 30 minutes to rise
14. Preheat the oven to 240c/Gas Mark 8
15. Prepare the topping by mixing together the plain flour a 2tbsp of cold water - this will form a paste
16. After 30 mins of leaving the buns to rise, remove them from the bag and baking paper
17. Smooth the topping mixture that you have just created evenly over each bun
18. Place the buns in the heated oven and bake for around 10-12 mins - they should emerge nice and golden
19. Finally, brush the top of each bun with heated syrup and leave to cool
20. ENJOY and let us know how they turned out!!