Hot Cross Buns

It's Hot Cross Buns and tea today! 

Several years ago I posted the recipe for these fabulous buns but it was after Easter so I left off the cross.  I hope you try this wonderful recipe that I received from my friend Tina, who lives in Australia.  She and I became fast friends from a Teacups group on Facebook because of our love of baking.  

This is my favorite Spring teacup that I received from Mary from Home Is Where The Boat Is , several years ago.  It goes perfectly with my bunny teapot.  

You will not believe how wonderful your house smells while these are baking!

This is before baking.  The crosses are put on in rows to make it easier.  

This is after baking and after the glaze is put on.  

Isn't this cyclamen so pretty?  Two lovely friends brought this  to me for my birthday and I planted it in my little wheelbarrow.  

Yield: 12

Author: Kitty, but recipe comes from my friend Tina

Hot Cross Buns

This recipe, even though it has three rises, is so easy to work with and makes for the best Easter treat!

Ingredients

• 1 and 1/4 cups lukewarm milk
• 2 teaspoons yeast (if you use instant yeast, you do not have to proof it, but can add directly to the flour mixture)
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 3 and 1/2 cups bread flour
• 3 teaspoons of spices of choice (I used 2 teaspoons of cinnamon, 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg, 3/4 teaspoon allspice, a touch of cloves)
• 1 scant teaspoon salt
• 3 tablespoons brown sugar
• 1 and 1/2 cups mixed dried fruit (I used golden raisins, currants and dried Montmorency cherries)
• 4 and 1/2 tablespoons butter, melted and cooled
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• For the Crosses
• 1/4 cup flour + 2-3 tablespoons water
• Glaze
• 2 teaspoons white sugar
• 2 teaspoons water

Instructions

1. Combine lukewarm milk, white sugar and yeast and set aside for about 5 minutes until starting to get frothy.
2. Combine flour, spices, salt, brown sugar and dried fruit in a large bowl or mixer with a dough hook. Make a well in the center and pour in the milk mixture, the butter and the beaten egg.
3. Mix with your dough hook and then knead for about 5 minutes on medium (or 8 minutes by hand on a floured surface.)
4. Place into a lightly greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap and a tea towel. Stand in a warm place for about 1 hour.
5. After this time, knead a few times and then return to the bowl, cover and let rise again for 1 hour until doubled in size.
6. Preheat oven to 370 degrees.
7. Take the dough out of the bowl and knead a few times on a floured surface. Divide the dough into 12 equal portions and roll into balls.
8. Place the buns into a lined or greased baking tray, a little apart. Cover with a tea towel and place in a warm spot for 20 minutes or until they puff up. At this time, mix the flour and water into a smooth paste. After the 20 minute rise, pipe on the crosses, going vertically and horizontally in rows. You can use a piping bag with a small piece cut off on the end, or use a baggie, with a corner cut off.
9. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
10. To make the glaze: Mix sugar and water in a small saucepan, bring to a boil and simmer for 1 minute. Brush glaze over the hot buns.
11. Allow buns to cool for about 15 minutes before turning out onto a wire rack. Enjoy!

Notes

I place a pan of boiling water on a low shelf in my oven, and place the bowl of dough on a shelf above this, to let the dough rise. It helps to place the unfilled pan in first,  and then pour the boiling water in.

If you don't want to pipe on the crosses before baking, you can pipe on crosses with icing after they are cooled.

Alternatively, you also can make the dough, cover and put in the fridge overnight, and the next day, take it out, knead a few times shape the buns, cover with a tea towel and place in a warm place and let them rise around 40 minutes and proceed.

I got to spend the night and be with Harper and Hayden and go to the Dallas Arboretum, which is a favorite spot.  It was a chilly Sunday and they brought warm jackets for in between photos.

Thank you for your visit, and Happy Easter to you!  xo

I am sharing this with:

Love Your Creativity Link Party

Full Plate Thursday at Miz Helen's Country Cottage