Hot cross bun bostocks

Preheat the oven to 180°C, gas mark 4. For the syrup, put the lemon zest and juice, sugar and cardamom pods, if using, into a small saucepan and stir to dissolve the sugar. Put the pan over a medium heat, bring to a boil, then set aside.

For the almond cream, beat together the ground almonds, sugar, butter and ¼ tsp fine salt, until well mixed, then add the egg, almond extract and rum, if using, and beat to a smooth batter.

Cut the hot cross buns in ½ and set them, cut-side-up, on a baking tray. Use a pastry brush to soak each bun, as equally as possible, with the syrup. Divide the almond cream mixture between the buns and spread it out to the edge of each bun. Place 3 raspberries onto the centre of each bun, then sprinkle the flaked almonds, generously, around the edge. Bake for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown. Allow to cool, then dust liberally with icing sugar to serve.