Overnight Healthy Hot Cross Buns
Author: 
Prep time: 
Cook time: 
Total time: 
Serves: 16
 
Ingredients
  • 3 tablespoons mixed (citrus) peel
  • 1 tablespoon linseeds
  • 1 cup your choice of milk, plus a little extra as needed
  • ⅓ cup brown sugar
  • 70 grams soft butter, plus a little extra
  • 18 grams dry yeast
  • 250 grams wholemeal bakers flour
  • 250 grams white spelt or bakers flour
  • ¼ teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon
  • 2 teaspoons ground nutmeg
  • 1 heaped teaspoon ground ginger
  • ½ teaspoon ground cloves
  • 1 egg
  • 300 grams your choice of dried fruit, including cranberries, apricots and figs (I used Honest to Goodness Mixed Dried fruit leftover from Christmas!)
  • for the crosses: 20 g plain flour, ¼ teaspoon oil, 25 g water
Instructions
  1. Start this the night before
  2. Put the mixed peel and linseeds in a food processor and blend until finely chopped (thermomix, 10 seconds, speed 9)
  3. If using a themomix, add the milk, sugar and butter to the bowl and cook at 50 degrees, speed 2 for 2 minutes
  4. Otherwise, heat milk in the microwave for about 45 seconds and pour into the food processor bowl along with the sugar and butter
  5. Add the yeast and blend gently to combine
  6. Set aside while you get the flour and spices together
  7. Sift the flour, spices and salt together into a large bowl
  8. In a small bowl, whisk the egg
  9. Add flour and egg to food processor/thermomix and blitz gently to combine (thermomix 7 seconds, speed 7). Add a little extra milk as necessary to make a soft, sticky dough
  10. If using the thermomix - Set dial to closed lid position and knead for 4 minutes on Interval setting
  11. Otherwise, tip dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 10 minutes or until smooth and elastic
  12. Lightly grease a clean large bowl with a little oil or butter, add the dough and turn to coat the dough in the oil/butter.
  13. Cover with plastic wrap or a clean tea towel and set aside in a warm, draught-free place for 1 hour or until doubled in size
  14. Line a large oven tray with non-stick baking paper.
  15. When ready, punch the centre of the dough down with your fist and turn onto a lightly floured surface.
  16. Knead for 2-3 minutes or until smooth
  17. Press out to a rectangular shape about 1 cm thick
  18. Sprinkle with the mixed fruit and roll up, pressing the edges together a bit to stop the fruit from falling out
  19. Cut the dough into 16 equal portions.
  20. Roll each portion into a ball, encasing the fruit inside and place onto the tray
  21. Cover with a slightly damp tea towel or lightly oiled glad wrap and place in the fridge overnight
  22. The next morning -
  23. Remove cold angry buns from the fridge and leave to prove in a warm place for 45-60 minutes
  24. Preheat oven to 190°C
  25. Make the flour paste by combining the extra flour, oil and water in a bowl and mix until smooth
  26. Spoon into a small plastic bag
  27. When ready, snip a small hole in the corner of the flour paste bag and pipe crosses on the tops of the buns
  28. Bake in preheated oven for 20-22 minutes or until cooked through and sounding hollow on the base when tapped
  29. Glaze with marmalade or sugar syrup as you like
  30. Enjoy!
Recipe by Healthy Home Cafe at http://healthyhomecafe.com/2017/04/14/overnight-hot-cross-buns/