Guyanese Hot Cross Buns

Ingredients

 * 1 pound plain white flour
 * 1 level teaspoon salt
 * 1 ounce yeast
 * 4 ounces sugar
 * 6 ounces preserved fruit
 * 2 ounces margarine
 * 2 eggs
 * 4 tablespoons milk
 * 1 level teaspoon spice

Directions

 * 1) Warm milk to body temperature.
 * 2) Cream yeast and one ounce sugar in a bowl (except when using instant yeast).
 * 3) Add warm milk and beaten egg.
 * 4) Sift flour onto a plate, add salt and spice and rub in margarine.
 * 5) Mix flour into yeast.
 * 6) Turn dough onto a clean floured surface and knead to a smooth pliable dough.
 * 7) Put to rise.
 * 8) When dough is risen, knock back dough, and sprinkle in the last ounce of sugar and the preserved fruit.
 * 9) Adding sugar at this stage helps to give the baked bun a crispy texture.
 * 10) Cut dough in 12 even sized pieces and roll into round balls.
 * 11) Put onto a greased baking tray and prove a second time.
 * 12) Make a cross by cutting the top of the balls with a knife or use piece of dough to make a cross.
 * 13) Bake in a hot oven, 400 °F to 425 °F or gas mark 7 for around 30 minutes.
 * 14) After buns are done brush tops with cold water glaze made with two tablespoons of sugar and one tablespoon of water.