EASY AWESOME HOT CROSSED BUNS

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This recipe is a bit more complex than some recipes but it really is worth the effort. Actual time spent at your Thermomix is quite minimal, most of the preparation time is rising time for the dough. 

Please note that this is supposed to be quite a wet/sticky dough. If you find it too sticky then you can add a bit more flour until you're happy with the texture, just be carefult that you don't add too much. To make the handling of the dough into rolls easier I like to oil my bench and my hands a little. 

Notes on YeastFresh yeast is worth sourcing as it makes a big difference to the end result. Fresh yeast can be broken into pieces and stored in an air tight container in the freezer. You will know that your yeast is still active when you add the flour and sugar in the first step. If it doesn't bubble then you'll know that you need to buy new yeast. 

VariationsYou can add all sorts of things to the basic dough depending on what you like. Sultana's, currents, cranberries are lovely but so are milk or white chocolate chips, caramel pieces etc. Let your imagination guide you. 

Want to make them the day before? Try this... If you want them ready early in the morning you can make them the day before and then just bake them for 12minutes. Then take them out, let them cool, store in an airtight container over night. Then in the morning preheat your oven to 200deg again and then bake them for the last 8 minutes. This way you can do 99% of the work the day before but still enjoy lovely fresh HCB's first thing in the morning (and maybe even enjoy a sleep in too!!).

Or if you have a bit more time in the morning you can do the first prove as a slow prove in the fridge over night. Follow the steps to knead the dough and then put it in a bowl and set aside to prove. At this stage cover the bowl with plastic wrap and put it in the fridge. In the morning pull it out of the fridge. If you have time it's worth letting it sit on the bench for a bit to come to room temperature. I've done both methods and think I get a slightly better result if I put it on the bench for a little while first. Now divide into portions, roll and let prove until they are 1.5 times the size then bake.

Special Thanks: A very special thanks must go to my wonderful aunt Barbara who has been making the non-thermie version of this recipe for over 30 years. I believe she got the recipe from a 1981 Womans Weekly. I converted the recipe and altered it slightly by adding more spices and fruit. She has been making these for our annual family "bun fight" for as long as I can remember and this day is looked forward to by our whole extended family every year.