Raisin Buns

Ingredients:

• 4 & 1/2 cups bread flour
• 1 packet of yeast (7g)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 tsp fine cinnamon
• 2 tsp fine all spice
• 1 tsp fine aniseed
• 1 tsp naartjie peel or the rind of an unwaxed lemon
• 1 & 1/2 cups warm milk not hot
• 4 tbsp melted butter
• 1 egg
• 1 & 1/2 cups sultanas/raisins
• 1 tbsp apricot jam
• 2 tsp hot water

Cooks tip: if you don’t have all these ground spices just use 1-2 tablespoons of mixed spice.

Method:

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer combine the flour, yeast, sugar and spices.
2. Meanwhile, in a jug add the milk and butter and microwave for 40 seconds, or until the better has melted.
3. Pour in the milk and butter mixture and using the hook attachment, start to knead.
4. Crack in the egg and add the sultanas or raisins.
5. Knead until all the ingredients are combined and the dough is smooth.
6. Cover the bowl and set in a warm place to rest for 1.5 hours, until the dough has doubled in size.
7. On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough into a long and thick stick shape and cut into 12 equally sized pieces.
8. Roll these pieces to make smooth balls.
9. Place the dough balls onto a tray lined with greaseproof paper, with some space in between each ball.
10. Cover with a loose fitted cloth and allow to raise for 40 minutes.
11. Bake in a pre-heated oven at 180°C for 20 minutes.
12. While the raisin buns are baking, mix apricot jam with hot water and sieve to remove any chunks of apricot.
13. When the buns are done, immediately brush with the apricot jam glaze.