Hot Cross Buns – The One Pot Chef

Step 1: Combine Dry Ingredients

In a large mixing bowl, combine 4 cups of plain flour, 1/3 cup of caster sugar, 2 teaspoons of mixed spice, 7 grams of dried yeast, a pinch of salt, and 200 grams (approximately 2 cups) of mixed dried fruit. Mix all ingredients together until well combined. Create a well in the center of the mixture.

Step 2: Prepare Wet Ingredients

In a jug, combine 1 1/2 cups of warm milk, 60 grams of melted butter, and 1 lightly beaten egg. Mix these wet ingredients together.

Step 3: Combine Wet and Dry Ingredients

Pour the wet ingredients into the well of the dry ingredients. Mix everything together until a sticky dough forms.

Step 4: Knead the Dough

Turn the sticky dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead the dough for approximately 10 minutes, or until it becomes smooth, elastic, and less sticky.

Step 5: First Rise

Place the kneaded dough into a clean, dry bowl. Cover the bowl with a clean tea towel and place it in a warm spot in the kitchen. Allow the dough to rise for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.

Step 6: Punch Down and Knead Again

Once the dough has doubled in size, remove it from the bowl and place it onto a lightly floured surface. Knead it again for a couple of minutes to punch down the air.

Step 7: Portion and Shape Buns

Roll the dough into a log and cut it into 16 even pieces. Take each piece and roll it into a ball shape. Arrange the dough balls into a baking pan lined with non-stick baking paper.

Step 8: Second Rise

Cover the baking pan with the clean tea towel and set it aside for 30 minutes, allowing the dough to rise again.

Step 9: Prepare Cross Paste

In a measuring jug, mix 1/3 cup of plain flour with 1/4 cup of water using a teaspoon until a thick paste is formed.

Step 10: Prepare Piping Bag

Spoon the flour paste into a snap-lock bag and push it into one corner. Snip off a small piece of the corner to create a piping bag.

Step 11: Pipe Crosses

Once the buns have risen for the second time, pipe crosses onto the top of each bun using the prepared flour paste.

Step 12: Apply Glaze

Melt a small amount of apricot jam in a coffee mug in the microwave. Brush the melted jam over the top of the buns to create a glaze.

Step 13: Bake Hot Cross Buns

Place the baking pan into a preheated oven at 200°C (≈390°F) (approximately 390°F) (392°F (≈200°C) (approximately 200°C)). Bake for approximately 25 minutes, or until the buns are lovely and golden brown on top.

Step 14: Cool and Serve

Once baked, remove the hot cross buns from the oven and let them cool in the baking tin for 10 minutes before serving. They are best served warm, perhaps with a little butter.

• Serve warm with butter.

• If you can't find mixed spice, use 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and 1 teaspoon of nutmeg.

• Chocolate chip hot cross buns (replace dried fruit with chocolate chips)