Name: Savoury Hot Cross Buns
Yield: 12 buns
Cuisine: European
Ingredients: Recipe by Vickie de Beer assisted by Julia Maarseven. Photograph Lindy Kriek; ; 500 g bread flour; 50 g milk powder; 10 g quick yeast; 80 ml (1/3) honey; 1 egg; 100 g butter; 30 ml (2 tbsp.) grainy mustard; 200 ml water at room temperature; ; Filling:; Soak 200 g chopped dry figs for 10 minutes in 30 ml brandy.; 1 onion, peeled, in thick slices; 30 ml butter; 200 g matured cheddar, grated; 1 x 250 g packet streaky bacon, chopped (keep 200 g for the bread); 60 ml honey, slightly heated

Recipe by Vickie de Beer assisted by Julia Maarseven. Photograph Lindy Kriek

Savoury Hot Cross Buns

Serves: 12 buns Cooking Time: 30 Minutes 30 Minutes Nutrition facts: 200 calories 20 grams fat

Ingredients

Recipe by Vickie de Beer assisted by Julia Maarseven. Photograph Lindy Kriek
500 g bread flour
50 g milk powder
10 g quick yeast
80 ml (1/3) honey
1 egg
100 g butter
30 ml (2 tbsp.) grainy mustard
200 ml water at room temperature
Filling:
Soak 200 g chopped dry figs for 10 minutes in 30 ml brandy.
1 onion, peeled, in thick slices
30 ml butter
200 g matured cheddar, grated
1 x 250 g packet streaky bacon, chopped (keep 200 g for the bread)
60 ml honey, slightly heated

Instructions

Mix all the dry ingredients in a medium bowl and make a hole in the middle. Mix the wet ingredients in a measuring jug and pour into the hole made in the dry ingredients
Mix until it forms a workable dough.
Let it rise to double the size.
Fry the onion, soaked figs and chopped sage leaves in a medium casserole to soft and caramelized. Remove and let it cool.
Fry 50 g bacon in the same pan till crispy and golden and let it cool.
Press the dough with the palm of your hand. Add the onion mixture, fried bacon and cheese to the dough and mix with your hands. Knead and fold until it is mixed.
Divide the dough in 12 balls and pack neatly together on a baking tray. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let it rise till double the size.
Heat the oven to 200°C. Place the rest of the bacon on a baking tray and bake for 5 minutes till done. Remove and keep aside.
Bake the rolls for 20 minutes. Remove and place the half-done bacon in crosses on the rolls. Spread the rolls with honey and bake 5-7 minutes until golden.
Remove and spread with another layer of syrup.