Recipe: Hot cross brioche doughnuts


Preps 25 mins
Cooks 40 mins
INGREDIENTS
450g strong white bread flour, plus extra for dusting
6g sea salt
45g caster sugar
1 tsp mixed spices
1 tsp cinnamon
35g currants
35g chopped apricots
10g instant yeast
115ml warm milk
4 eggs
230g diced unsalted butter at room temperature
1ltr sunflower oil for deep frying
Cross topping
75g plain flour
80ml cold water
1tbsp sunflower oil
Sugar coating
100g caster sugar
1tbsp cinnamon
Dipping sauce
Cartmel Sticky Toffee Sauce
(available in store
£2.50, 170g)
METHOD
1 Mix the bread flour, sugar, salt, cinnamon, mixed spice and yeast in a mixing bowl that attaches to a mixer with a dough hook. Place the yeast and salt on opposite sides.
2 Put the mixer on a slow speed. Gradually add the warmed milk and eggs. Mix for a further five minutes.
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Hide Ad3 Gradually add the butter. Then increase the speed until the dough is a smooth sticky consistency.
4 Add the apricots and currants, mix until evenly distributed.
5 Tip the smooth dough into a clean, oiled bowl and cover with cling film.
Leave to prove at room temperature for at least two hours, or leave overnight
in the fridge for a better doughnut texture.
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Hide Ad6 Mix the cross topping ingredients together until smooth. Spoon into a piping bag. Set to one side.
7 Lightly dust your work area and tip out the dough and knead again. Evenly divide the dough into 18-20 balls and place on to a lined, floured baking tray. Cover with cling film and leave for at least one hour.
8 Once increased in size, pipe a cross on to each ball with the batter mix.
9 Mix together the caster sugar and cinnamon, set aside.
10 Heat a large saucepan of oil to
approx 175-180ºc using a temperature probe.
11 Place three balls at a time into the oil and fry for four minutes, until cooked through to the middle. Continuously turn the doughnuts in the oil for even colouring.
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Hide Ad12 Remove from the oil and tumble in the sugar coating and cinnamon mix. Serve with the dipping sauce.