Ingredients

BUNS:

• 1 tablespoon dry yeast – any type (active dry, rapid rise, instant)
• 1/2 cup (110g) caster sugar (superfine sugar), or sub with normal white sugar
• 1/2cup (125 ml) warm water
• 1 cup (250 ml) milk, lukewarm, whole or low fat,
• 4 cups (600g) bread flour + extra for dusting
• 2 tsp cinnamon powder
• 2 tsp All Spice OR Mixed Spice
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1 – 2 oranges , zest only
• 1 1/2 cups (210g) sultanas
• 50g/ 3.5 tbsp unsalted butter, melted and cooled
• 2 eggs, at room temperature, lightly beaten with fork

CROSSES:

• 1/2 cup flour, any white flour
• 5 tbsp water

GLAZE:

• 1 tbsp apricot jam
• 2 tsp water

Instructions

1. Place the yeast and 2 teaspoons of the sugar in a medium bowl, then pour in water. Leave for 5 minutes until it froths.
2. Place flour, remaining sugar, salt and spices in a bowl. Whisk to combine.
3. Make a well in the center. Add remaining Buns ingredients and pour in the yeast liquid, including all froth.
4. Mix until combined with wooden spoon – it will be like a thick muffin batter. Not pourable, but thick and sticky.
5. dough will triple in size and be bubbly on the surface.

RISE # 1:

• Spray a piece of cling wrap lightly with oil (any), then place over the tray.
• Return tray to warm place and leave for 45 min – 1 hour, until the dough has risen by about 75% (less than double in size).
• Partway through Rise #2, preheat oven to 180C/350F (all oven types).

CROSSES:

1. Mix flour and water until a runny paste forms – see video for thickness required.
2. Spoon into a round 3 mm piping bag or small ziplock bag then snip corner.
3. Remove the cling wrap and pipe crosses onto the buns. Go slow so it hugs the curves.

BAKING/GLAZE:

1. Bake for 22 minutes, or until the surface is a deep golden brown. The surface colour is the best test for this recipe.
2. Meanwhile, place jam and water in a bowl, microwave for 30 seconds. Mix to combine.
3. Remove buns from oven. Brush with jam mixture while warm.
4. Use overhang to lift buns onto a cooling rack. Allow to cool to warm before serving.