{recipe} Hot Cross Buns in the bread machine

It's Good Friday and for the last I don't know how many years, I have threatened to make hot cross buns in the bread machine. This year I actually did! They turned out pretty well and with very little effort on my part.....loving that eh? I don't want to be overly ambitious, but, you could tweak this recipe to make mocha or choc, choc chip hot cross buns.........mmm, maybe next year. Wishing you a safe and Happy Easter weekend.  Don't forget to stay tuned for my first Giveaway, happening straight after Easter. Click here to find out how to enter. (now closed)

Hot Cross Buns


Ingredients
1 1/3 cups of water
2 tablespoons oil
2 teaspoons salt
3 tablespoons brown sugar
4 cups plain flour
3 tablespoons milk powder
1 tablespoon mixed spice
1 tablespoon cinnamon
2 teaspoons yeast

Mix -ins
1 1/4 cups sultanas
1/4 cup mixed peel (I didn't have any so I just put in the zest of one lemon)

Directions:
1. Place ingredients into baking pan in order listed.
Program your bread machine to it's dough setting
Press start.
Add your mix-in, 6 minutes into the cycle.
I noticed that my dough looked a little too dry at this point, so I added a tablespoon extra of water.
When cycle stops, remove dough and divide into 15 pieces and shape into rounds.
Place dough close together on slightly greased baking tray.
Cover with plastic wrap and stand in a warm position for 30 minutes or till doubled in size.
remove wrap and pipe a cross on top of each bun.
Bake in a preheated oven at 190 C (375 F) for 15-20 minutes.

"Cross" Batter
2 tablespoons water ( I found I needed to add more water. Just add till you get a good piping consistency)
1/4 cup flour
Blend together to make a smooth batter. Spoon into a piping bag.

These would be nice served with Cumquat jam (recipe here) or Fig jam (recipe here)

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