Baking Recipes - Hot Cross Buns Recipe

  
 

Hot Cross Buns Recipe

 

Ingredients

 

Makes 20 buns

  • 4 to 4 1/2 cups all purpose flour

  • 1 package active dry yeast

  • 3/4 teaspoon ground cinnamon

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg

  • Dash ground cloves

  • 3/4 cup milk

  • 1/2 cup butter

  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar

  • 1/2 teaspoon salt

  • 3 eggs

  • 2/3 cup dried currants or raisins

  • 1/4 cup diced candied orange peel (optional)

  • 1 beaten egg white

  • 1 tablespoon water

  • 1 cup sifted powdered sugar

  • 1 tablespoon milk or orange juice

  • 1/4 teaspoon vanilla

Method:

  1. In a large bowl combine 2 cups of the yeast, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves; set aside.

  2. In  a medium saucepan heat and stir the 3/4 cup milk, the butter, granulated sugar, and salt until warm (120 to 130C) and butter almost melted.

  3. Add milk mixture to flour mixture. Add eggs. Beat with electric mixer on low to medium speed for 30 seconds, scraping side of bowl constantly. Beat on high speed for 3 minutes. Using wooden spoon, stir currants, orange peel (if desired), and as much of the remaining four as you can.

  4. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead in enough of the remaining flour to make a moderately soft dough that is smooth and elastic (3 to 5 minutes total). Shape into a ball.

  5. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease surface. Cover; let rise in a warm place until double (about 1 1/2 hours). Punch dough down. Turn onto floured surface. Cover; let rest 10 minutes.

  6. Meanwhile, grease baking sheet; set aside. Divide dough into 20 portions. Shape portions into smooth balls. Place balls 1 1/2 inches apart on prepared baking sheet. Cover; let rise until nearly double in size (45 to 60 minutes).

  7. Using a sharp knife, make a crisscross slash across top of each bun. In a small bowl combine beaten egg white and the water. Brush egg white mixture over rolls.

  8. Bake buns in a 375C° oven for 12 to 15 minutes or until golden brown. Cool slightly.

  9. For icing, in a small bowl combine powdered sugar, the 1 tablespoon milk or juice, and the vanilla. Stir in additional milk or juice, 1 teaspoon at a time, until icing is drizzling consistency. Drizzle icing into slashes atop each bun. Serve warm.