I've never actually made my own hot cross buns before, but always have them over the Easter weekend. This recipe is honestly super easy and they fill the house with the most amazing smell when they are baking. They are ten times better than shop brought buns. Give them a go yourself...

You'll need...

450g strong white flour

50g caster sugar

1 tsp salt

1tsp mixed spice

1tsp ground cinnamon

1/2tsp nutmeg

7g fast action yeast

50g butter

150ml milk

4 tbsp water

1large egg

125g mixed dried fruit

Apricot jam

To make...

Mix together the flour, sugar, salt, spices & yeast.

Melt the butter in a microwave and add the milk, water & then the egg. Beat together.

Add the liquid to the flour mixture along with the dried fruit and mix well until it comes together into a dough.

Turn out onto a floured surface and knead for 5 mins. Leave the dough to rise in a oiled bowl for

1 ½ hours in a warm place.

The dough should have doubled in size. Knead again for 2 mins then divide into 12 pieces and roll into balls. Transfer to a greased baking tray and cover with oiled cling-film. Leave to rise again for 30mins.

Make a cross in each buns using a knife and bake them at 220oC for 20 mins or until brown.

Brush them with Apricot jam straight from the oven.