zoom

    Save to your scrapbook

    Izy Hossack’s earl grey & orange hot cross buns

    This will be saved to your scrapbook

    You can also add it to one of your existing cookbooks

    *mandatory

    Izy Hossack’s earl grey & orange hot cross buns

    As an enthusiastic over-consumer ofearl grey tea, I often find a place for itin my baking – hot cross buns are no exception! The orange zest really brings out its bergamot flavour.

    • Vegetarian
    • Preparation time: 40 minutes, plus steeping,cooling and proving
    • Cooking time: 35 minutes
    • Total time: 1 hour 15 minutes, plus steeping, cooling and proving

    Makes: 12

    Ingredients

    4 earl grey tea bags

    7g sachet easy bake yeast

    3 tbsp granulated sugar

    440g plain flour

    1 tsp salt

    1 tbsp mixed spice

    2 large oranges, zest and 80ml juice

    100g currants or raisins

    1 large egg, beaten

    50g unsalted butter, melted and cooled

    vegetable oil, for kneading and greasing

     

    CROSSES

    65g plain flour

    about 2 tbsp whole milk

    3 tbsp apricot jam, sieved

    Method

    1. Steep the tea bags in 160ml boiling water for 15 minutes. Squeeze out as much liquid as possible; discard the tea bags. When the tea is lukewarm, about 38˚C, mix in the yeast until dissolved, then beat in the sugar and 60g plain flour; set aside for 15 minutes.

    2. In a large bowl, mix the remaining 380g flour with the salt, mixed spice, orange zest and currants or raisins. Whisk the orange juice and egg into the melted butter, then mix, with the yeasted tea, into the dry ingredients to form a smooth dough.

    3. Knead the dough on an oiled work surface until smooth and elastic – about 10 minutes. Return to a clean, oiled bowl, cover with cling film and leave to rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.

    4. Divide and shape the dough into 12even buns, then line them up in rows ona parchment-lined baking tray, 2-3cm apart. Slash a cross into the top of each using a sharp, serrated knife; cutting in the same direction across each row of buns will make the piping easier. Cover with oiled cling film and leave to rise again until doubled in size, about 30 minutes. Preheat the oven to 180˚C, gas mark 4.

    5. For the crosses, beat the flour with enough water (about 70ml) to make a loose paste. Transfer to a piping bag fitted with a 1cm plain nozzle (or cut a 1cm opening in a disposable piping or sandwich bag). Brush the buns with milk, then pipe the flour paste into the cuts made for the crosses.

    6. Bake for 30-35 minutes, until golden and hollow-sounding. Gently heat the apricot jam in a small pan, brush over the warm buns, then cool completely on a wire rack. These are best eaten on the day of baking but can be stored in an airtight container for up to 5 days and are delicious toasted.

    Your recipe note

    Edit your recipe note

    This recipe first appeared in Waitrose Kitchen magazine. myWaitrose members can download the Waitrose Kitchen app edition for FREE. Find out more.

    Comments

    Average user rating

    4 stars

    Glossary