Easter Hot Cross Buns

Hot cross buns are an integral part of the Easter festivities – being on a wheat free diet shouldn’t exclude you from enjoying them.

Ingredients
350g Brown Wheat/Gluten Free bread flour
2¼ Teaspoons xanthan gum
4½ Tablespoons castor sugar
1½ Teaspoons cinnamon
1¼ Fresh grated nutmeg
¼ Teaspoon of salt
3 Eggs
3 Tablespoons of olive oil based spread
1 Teaspoon vinegar
280 ml warm water
¾ Teaspoon sugar
3½ Teaspoons of dried fast acting yeast
125g Sultanas

To make the cross

Wheat free brown bread flour

1/2 egg (use the other half to glaze the buns.)

Method

This mix produces a very stiff dough so a powerful mixer with a kneader tool attachment is needed

Weight out the flour, xanthan gum, castor sugar, cinnamon, freshly grated nutmeg and salt into a bowl, mix the dried ingredients well.
In another bowl add the warm water, and sugar – dissolve and add fast acting yeast and leave till a foam forms on the surface.
Add the eggs, butter and vinegar to another bowl and beat and add the yeast mixture
Set the mixer to a slow speed to start and begin to add the dry ingredients to the wet and when all the ingredients are added mix well.
Add the sultanas and mix well with a spoon.
Quickly drop about 60g of mix into a greased bun tray and leave in a warm place for 30 minutes to rise.

Once risen, mix the cross flour and add a cross to each bun. Glaze with half an egg. Cook in an oven gas mark 6, 200 degrees C till risen and cooked through.

Serve and enjoy!”

Best consumed within 24 hours of baking – I am sure you won’t have a problem with this bit! I have not added any candid peel to the recipe as I don’t like it but you could add some if you do.