Ultimate Hot Cross Buns (Original video)

Ingredients:

• White bread flour
• Water
• Yeast
• Salt
• Sugar
• Mixed spice (cinnamon, nutmeg, coriander, ginger, caraway, cloves)
• Melted butter
• Candied citrus peel
• Currants or raisins
• Softened butter
• Flour
• Icing sugar

Instructions:

1. Prepare the decorative paste by mixing softened butter, flour, and icing sugar in a small bowl. Transfer the paste to a piping bag.
2. Make the dough using the scalding method by combining flour, salt, sugar, mixed spice, and boiling water in a large bowl. Add butter, candied peel, and raisins. Let the scald cool for 2-3 hours.
3. Add yeast to the scald, mix, then add remaining flour to form a dough. Allow bulk fermentation for 2 hours with a fold halfway through.
4. Divide the dough into 12 pieces, pre-shape, rest for 15 minutes, then perform final shaping.
5. Place dough balls on a baking tray, brush with melted butter, and proof for 1.5-2 hours.
6. Preheat the oven to 170°C (340°F) fan on or 190°C (375°F) fan off. Draw crosses on the buns, spritz with water, and bake for 25 minutes.
7. Prepare a sugar syrup by boiling water and sugar. Brush the buns with the syrup after baking.
8. Enjoy your ultimate soft hot cross buns!