Chef Pieter shares a recipe for lovely spicy and fruity Hot Cross Buns. They are so versatile and are ideal served hot from the oven for breakfast or at teatime.

Ingredients:

250g flour

Pinch of salt

1½tsp mixed spice

1½tsp ground cinnamon

1tsp ground nutmeg

2Tbsp soft butter

1Tbsp brown sugar

10g fresh yeast

175ml water

75ml mixed dried fruit

Cross:

50ml flour

2.5ml oil

50ml milk

Salt

1ml baking powder

Method:

• Sieve the flour, salt and spices into a large mixing bowl and then rub in the butter using your fingertips.
• Add sugar.
• Dissolve the yeast in warm water.
• Add yeast mixture to the flour and mix together to a form a soft, pliable dough.
• Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured work surface. Work the mixed fruit into the dough. Knead lightly for 5 minutes, or until smooth and elastic.
• Shape the dough into a ball and place it into a greased mixing bowl, cover and set aside in a warm place for one hour to prove.
• Turn out the proved dough onto a lightly floured work surface and knockback. Again shape it into a ball and return it to the bowl for a further 30 minutes to rise.
• Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured work surface and divide it into 6 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a ball, flatten slightly into a bun, cover and rest for 5 minutes.
• Grease a baking tray with butter and transfer the buns to the tray. Set aside in a warm place for a further 40 minutes to rise.
• Preheat the oven to 220 °C.
• Meanwhile, for the cross, mix the ingredients together.
• When the buns have risen, spoon the flour mixture into a piping bag and
  pipe a cross on each bun.
• Put the buns into the oven and bake for 8-12 minutes, or until pale golden-brown.