Easter is a special time of year where we gather with loved ones, enjoy some time off, and indulge in delicious treats. One of the most iconic treats of Easter is hot cross buns! These spiced and fruity buns are typically enjoyed on Good Friday, but they are so delicious you might want to make them all year round.

To make your hot cross buns even more special, we recommend incorporating our roasted sandalwood nuts from The Sandalwood Shop. These crunchy nuts have a deliciously creamy flavour pairing perfectly with the warm spices in the buns.

Here's our recipe for hot cross buns with roasted sandalwood nuts:

Ingredients:

• 4 cups of all-purpose flour

• 1/4 cup of sugar

• 2 teaspoons of active dry yeast

• 1 teaspoon of salt

• 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon

• 1/2 teaspoon of ground nutmeg

• 1/4 teaspoon of ground cloves

• 1/4 cup of unsalted butter, melted

• 1 cup of warm milk

• 1 egg, lightly beaten

• 1/2 cup of dried currants

• 1/2 cup of chopped roasted sandalwood nuts from The Sandalwood Shop

For the crosses:

• 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour

• 1/4 cup of water

For the glaze:

• 1/4 cup of sugar

• 1/4 cup of water

Instructions:

1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, yeast, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves.

2. In a separate bowl, whisk together the melted butter, warm milk, and egg.

3. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and stir until a dough forms.

4. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for 5-10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.

5. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp towel, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour.

6. Once the dough has risen, knead in the currants and roasted sandalwood nuts.

7. Divide the dough into 12 equal portions and shape into balls. Place the balls on a lined baking sheet, cover with a damp towel, and let rise for another 30 minutes.

8. Preheat the oven to 200°C.

9. For the crosses, mix together the flour and water to form a paste. Pipe the paste onto the buns in a cross shape.

10. Bake the buns for 20-25 minutes, until golden brown.

11. For the glaze, heat the sugar and water in a saucepan over medium heat until the sugar dissolves. Brush the glaze over the buns while they are still warm.

Enjoy these delicious hot cross buns with a cup of tea or coffee for the perfect Easter treat. And don't forget to check out The Sandalwood Shop's range of roasted sandalwood nuts to take your baking to the next level!