Barley & Oat Hot Cross Buns Recipe

Cooking Directions

• STEP 1.In a large mixing bowl, combine the barley flour, oats, sugar, yeast, cinnamon, nutmeg, and salt.
• STEP 2.In a small saucepan, heat the milk and butter until the butter is melted. Let it cool slightly.
• STEP 3.Add the milk mixture and beaten egg to the dry ingredients. Mix until a dough forms.
• STEP 4.Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5 minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic.
• STEP 5.Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
• STEP 6.Punch down the dough and knead in the raisins. Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces and shape them into buns.
• STEP 7.Place the buns on a greased baking sheet, cover with a kitchen towel, and let them rise for another 30 minutes.
• STEP 8.Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).
• STEP 9.In a small bowl, mix together the flour and water to make a thick paste. Transfer the paste to a piping bag or a plastic bag with a small hole cut in the corner.
• STEP 10.Pipe a cross shape on top of each bun.
• STEP 11.Bake the buns in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown.
• STEP 12.While the buns are baking, prepare the icing by mixing together the powdered sugar and lemon juice.
• STEP 13.Once the buns are cooled, drizzle the icing over the crosses.
• STEP 14.Serve the Barley & Oat Hot Cross Buns warm or at room temperature.
• STEP 15.Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

Cooking Tips

• Make sure the milk is warm, but not too hot, to activate the yeast.
• You can substitute the raisins with other dried fruits like currants or chopped apricots.
• For a spicier flavor, add a pinch of ground cloves or ginger to the dough.
• If you don't have barley flour, you can use all-purpose flour or whole wheat flour instead.
• To make the icing smoother, sift the powdered sugar before mixing it with the lemon juice.

Storage and Serving

• These buns are best served warm, straight from the oven.
• If serving later, you can reheat them in the microwave for a few seconds or in a toaster oven.
• Serve them as is, or spread some butter or jam on top for extra flavor.
• These Barley & Oat Hot Cross Buns can be enjoyed for breakfast, brunch, or as a sweet snack.
• Store any leftovers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.