Hot Cross Buns
Preheat oven to 220°C/gas mark 7.
Place all the ingredients (apart from the water) in the bowl of a food mixer with a dough hook. Start mixing on a slow speed and gradually add the water. When the ingredients are evenly mixed, then increase the speed of the mixer. Continue to mix on a medium speed for approximately 8-10 minutes or until the dough starts coming away from the side of the bowl. If you don’t have a food mixer then mix your ingredients together in a bowl, turn it out onto a work surface and knead by hand for about 20 minutes.
Remove the dough from the mixer and leave in a bowl covered with a damp cloth to rise. When the dough has doubled in size (about ½ hour), remove from the bowl and divide into 12 equal balls. Place them on a lined baking sheet. Cover the balls with a damp cloth and leave to double in size (about ½ hour).
While waiting you can prepare the mixture for the crosses. Place the flour in a bowl and gradually add the water, beating out any lumps until you have a smooth consistency. This is important because you need to pipe the mixture onto the buns.
Place the buns in the preheated oven and bake for about 18-20 minutes until they are nice and brown but not burnt! Remove from the oven and glaze with the apple juice (or sugar water if you prefer) using a pastry brush. Place on a wire rack to cool.