Gluten and Lactose Free Hot Cross Buns

Summary

These little beauties are far easier than i thought to make, and taste almost exactly like the real thing. The photo above is fresh out of the oven. There is also a glaze which can be put on whilst they are still hot. Note: in my haste i didnt give mine time to rise but to my surprise they came out ok :)

Serves: 18

Difficulty: Childs Play

Ingredients

Main

500g White Flour (Gluten Free)

3 tsp xanthum gum

1tsp salt

2tsp mixed spice

50 g caster sugar

7g instant dried yeast

250g mixed fruits (what ever you like - i used currants)

250ml warm milk (lactose free)

50g melted butter

1 large beaten egg

For White cross

50g Gluten free white flour

1/2 tsp xanthum gum

6 tbsp water

10g sugar

Glaze
50g caster sugar
3 tbsp milk
3 tbsp water

Instructions

1. Sift the flour, salt, mixed spice, caster sugar together in a large bowl
2. Put dried fruits in a seperate bowl and cover with boiling water for 10 minutes, this makes them go plump and stops them burning or drying out in the oven.
3. Warm milk and add dried yeast. Leave to react for 10 minutes.
4. Beat up your egg in a separate small bowl.
5. When everything is ready slowly add all the wet ingredients and the dried fruits to the bowl and mix together. You will eventually have to get your hands dirty to knead this mixture together. Add flour as required, it should not stick to your hands.
6. 
   
7. Roll out and separate in to small hot cross bun sized pieces. Mine made 18.
8. Cover a baking tray with greased proof paper, and lay out cakes.
9. Using a sharp knife cut a cross in each one.
10. Allow to rise for an hour or so. Cover in oiled cling film. They should double in size.

Now for the crosses.

1. Mix the flour, water, xanthum gum, and sugar together. This should be a consistency of lest say silky mashed potato.
2. spoon into the corner of a zip lock bag and cut the corner off.
3. pipe the mixture into the now opened up crosses.

Place in oven at 190C or gas mark 5 for 20-25 minutes. Wait for them to brown on top and remove.

For sugar glaze

1. melt sugar, milk, and water in a pan.
2. using a brush coat the tops of the cakes whilst they are still warm