Australian Native Spiced Hot Cross Buns

1. Sift flour, salt and spices together in a bowl then rub in the butter with your fingers
2. Add the zest, yeast and sugar
3. Beat eggs separately before adding with the milk to the dry mixture
4. Once it is mixed into a soft dough turn out onto a floured bench and knead in the fruit lightly for 3-5 mins
5. Place dough in greased bowl as a large bowl, cover with tea towel and set aside for an hour
6. Turn out onto floured bench and again knead quickly. Put back in bowl and cover for another 30 mins. Be careful not to overwork the dough.
7. Pre heat oven to 200°C
8. Line baking tray with baking paper
9. Mix self raising flour and water for crosses
10. Turn out once more and form individual balls from the mixture before flattening with your finger
11. Cover and rest for 15 mins
12. Pipe the crosses onto the top of each bun
13. Bake for 10 mins in the oven
14. Reduce oven temperature to 180°C and bake for a further 15 mins
15. Brush the buns with warm jam while hot

This recipe was adapted from Rebecca Sullivan’s article in NITV