Hot Cross Buns

It is traditional for us to have hot cross buns at Easter time and if I don’t have homemade buns, it’s not Easter. However, I always get from my mom, as I actually don’t know how to do it myself.

Here is a great recipe that would make delicious buns this Easter.

You will need:

2 packets yeast
1 1/2 cup warm water
1/2 cup warm milk
1 tsp sugar
6 cups all-purpose flour
1 tsp orange zest
1 1/2 tsp salt
1 tsp vanilla essence
1 stick or 1/2 cup margarine or butter, melted
3/4 cup white sugar
3/4 cup raisins (optional)
2 eggs (optional)
3/4 tsp ground cinnamon
1/2 tsp ground cardamom (optional)
1/2 tsp ground ginger
1/ 4 tsp ground nutmeg
10 drops of yellow food color

Glaze

Dissolve 1/4 cup sugar and 3 tablespoon hot water over low heat.
Icing for Top of Bun (if using)
1/2 – 1 cup icing sugar
1 tablespoon milk or cream
4 teaspoon lemon juice
1/2 tsp vanilla extract

Method:

Directions for Icing. Combine the icing sugar and milk and mix until smooth. Place the icing in a paper cone or a small plastic bag. Cut the end of the cone or bag and pipe a ‘cross’ on the top of each bun for Easter buns or just frost the top,Making the Dough

Pour warm milk and warm water in a bowl, add 1 tsp sugar, and sprinkle yeast over. Mix to dissolve and set aside for 5 minutes or until the yeast is nice and foamy. Mix all dry ingredients, flour, orange zest, salt, cinnamon, cardamom, nutmeg and ginger, mix together and set aside. Whisk eggs and add to yeast mixture along with food coloring, melted butter and vanilla. Combine dry and wet ingredient and stir until dough comes together. Mix in raisins. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead until dough is soft and elastic, but still slightly sticky.

Place in a large lightly oiled bowl, turning to coat the top; cover with a damp cloth and place in a warm, draft-free place to rise until doubled in size, about 90 minutes. Turn dough out onto a clean surface, and divide into 28-32 evenly-sized pieces. Roll each piece into a ball, and place in a greased 9” x 13” pan.

Cover with a damp cloth and set aside to rise for 45 minutes. Bake in a preheated 350º F oven for 20-25 minutes, or until buns are golden brown. Meanwhile, prepare glaze by combining sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium-high heat until sugar dissolves. Brush onto the buns as soon as they come out of the oven, and set aside to cool. While buns are cooling, prepare the icing.

Scoop into a piping bag or by snipping off one of the bottom corners of a sandwich bag, and pipe an icing cross onto the top of each bun.

Tips: Feel free to cut this measurement in half for fewer buns.