Hot Cross Bun Loaf



Seasonal Grub can be expensive when shop bought, you can make your own at a fraction of the price and get more per person to eat.

Can't get enough of Hot Cross Bun Loaf. I especially like waiting for the dough to prove as the mixed spices fill the room with a wonderful aura.

• Sift 250g bread flour, 250g plain flour, 1tsp ground mixed spice, 1 tsp cinnamon and pinch salt. Add 7g fast action yeast, top that with 75g castor sugar and 250g mixed dried fruit, zest of 1 orange.
• Heat 50g butter with 250ml milk in the microwave for 1 minute swirl around until the butter is dissolved. Add 1 lightly beaten egg to the mixture and pour into the flour mixture to form a dough. Knead for 10 minutes in a mixer with dough hook attachment or do it the hard way with your hands stretching and pummelling until a ball can be formed. Cover with clingfilm and leave for 2 hours in a wam place until doubled in size.
• Divide into two halves and cut each half into 6 equal portions. Oil two 24cm loaf tins. Shape each peice of dough into a ball and put 6 in each tin. Cover again with film and leave for 1 hour to double in size.
• To decorate mix together 25g plain flour half tsp rapeseed oil, 1 level tsp icing sugar and 4tsp water to make a paste then pipe crosses on each bun. Bake 25 mins at 200c, 180fan, gas 6.
• Heat 2tbsp milk and 3 tbsp castor sugar until sugar has dissolved then use to brush the tops of the buns whilst still hot. Leave at least 10 minutes before turning out to cool then scoff the lot with lashings of butter and jam!