Ingredients
450g strong flour
1 level tsp salt
1 X 7g sachet fast action yeast 50g butter
280ml warm milk
1 medium egg
For the filling
30g butter, very soft
80g soft brown sugar
2 rounded tsp ground cinnamon
Grated zest of either 1 lemon or an orange 250g dried fruit of your choice
To glaze
2 tbsp clear honey
1 tbsp soft brown sugar
Or
25g icing sugar
2-3 tsp orange or lemon juice, whichever zest you have used
Or
2 tbsp Marmalade
1 dessert spoon boiling water
Instructions
1. Grease a large baking sheet
Sieve the flour and salt together in a mixing bowl and stir in the yeast.
2. Melt the butter in the warm milk.
3. Beat the egg.
4. Make a well in the dry ingredients and pour in the milk and egg.
5. Stir well and bring to a workable dough.
6. Knead on a lightly floured or oiled work surface for 10 minutes.
7. Put back in the bowl and cover. Allow to prove for 30-40 minutes.
8. Roll the dough into a large rectangle about 38cm by 30cm.
9. Spread the butter over the surface of the dough, I find this easiest to do with my fingers.
10. Combine the sugar and cinnamon and sprinkle over the butter.
11. Do the same with zest and fruit.
12. Roll up the dough from the longest edge to make a sausage.
13. Using sharp knife cut into 12 equal sized pieces and place on the baking sheet.
14. Cover and leave to rise for 30-40 minutes.
15. Heat the oven to 190C/ gas 5 and bake for 20 mins .
16. Cool for 15 mins before transferring to a rack.
Mix together the two ingredients of your chosen glaze and brush the tops of the buns.
History
The Bun House in Chelsea was a bakery with a difference. It was rather posh, had seating for the noblesse and was filled with interesting models and paintings to look at.
They sold the Chelsea Bun sometime in George II time as king, which means it must have been invented there before 1760.
They cost a penny, which was an extravagant price to pay. The original bun was squarish in shape, and they were very popular.
They also sold Hot Cross buns at Easter time, and these were their main products.
The Chelsea Bun was enjoyed by many of the writers and politicians, as well as the Royal household of George II and George III.
Chelsea Buns