Hot Cross Buns

Directions

1. 1
   Dissolve the yeast in the milk by stirring with a fork.
2. 2
   In a mixing bowl, mix the flour, spices, sugar and salt.
3. 3
   Add the softened butter. Mix with a dough hook to form thick breadcrumbs.
4. 4
   In another bowl, mix the beaten egg, water, and milk/yeast mixture. Gradually add this mixture into the mixer bowl.
5. 5
   Knead and add the raisins and orange peel. Continue to knead for 5 minutes to obtain a uniformly mixed dough.
6. 6
   Let the dough rise for 1 hour and a half in a fairly warm room without any breeze.
7. 7
   Place the dough ball on a floured surface. Poke the dough 2 to 3 times to get rid of any air, and then divide it into 12 small balls.
8. 8
   Flatten each ball and then fold the sides under. Place the pieces fairly far apart on a baking sheet covered with parchment paper.
9. 9
   Let the dough rise for 1 hour until the pieces double in volume.
10. 10
    Preheat oven to 200 degrees Celsius.
11. 11
    To form the dough for the crosses, mix flour and water in a bowl with a fork.
12. 12
    Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface and cut it into thin strips.
13. 13
    Place the strips in an X shape on top of the dough, then cut them to the proper length.
14. 14
    Beat the egg with a little milk and brush the mixture on top of the buns.
15. 15
    Bake for 15 to 18 minutes.
16. 16
    During cooking, prepare the syrup glaze by heating the sugar in water until it dissolves
17. 17
    Once the buns are baked, glaze them with the syrup.
18. 18
    Leftover buns can be kept in the freezer.