Make This Beloved British Easter Treat That Inspired a Famous Song

Step 1

Gather the bun ingredients. The Spruce / Christine Ma Featured Video Mix the flour, sugar, salt and spices in a large baking bowl. The Spruce / Christine Ma Add the butter pieces and rub the butter into the flour until it resembles coarse sand. The Spruce / Christine Ma Add the dried fruit and dried peels; stir. The Spruce / Christine Ma Sprinkle the yeast over the mixture and pour in the warm milk. Mix gently with a spatula until a soft, sticky dough is formed. The Spruce / Christine Ma Tip the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for no less than 10 minutes or until a silky smooth dough is formed. The Spruce / Christine Ma Place the dough in a large, lightly oiled bowl. Cover with a clean tea towel and leave to rise in a warm (not hot) place until doubled in size; this should take about 2 hours. The Spruce / Christine Ma Tip the dough onto a lightly floured surface, knock all the air from the dough and knead again for 2 minutes. The Spruce / Christine Ma Divide the dough into 12 and roll each into a bun shape. Place the buns on a lightly oiled baking sheet. With a sharp knife, cut a shallow cross the width of the bun into the top. The Spruce / Christine Ma Cover the buns with a clean tea towel and leave to rise again for approximately 45 minutes or until well-risen. The Spruce / Christine Ma

Step 2

Gather the remaining ingredients. The Spruce / Christine Ma Make the crosses by rubbing the butter into the flour, add a little cold water (approximately 1/2 tablespoon) and stir to make a slightly thick dough. If too dry add a bit more water. The Spruce / Christine Ma Roll this dough into a ball, cut in half, and then each half into 6. Place in the fridge for at least 30 minutes. The balls will harden and be easier to roll. The Spruce / Christine Ma Preheat the oven to 425 F. Roll each small dough ball into a long thin cord, cut in half and firmly press each 'cord' half into the cross of the buns without knocking the air out. The Spruce / Christine Ma Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 20 minutes or until the buns have risen and are golden brown. The Spruce / Christine Ma Remove from the oven and brush the buns with the jam. The Spruce / Christine Ma Place the buns onto a wire rack and leave to cool. The Spruce / Christine Ma