Hot Cross Buns for Easter

                                                                     

These buns are a traditional Easter favorite, but they are so easy to make and so delicious that they are a welcome treat at any time. This recipe will make 12 buns.

Ingredients

Dough:

1/2 cup warm water
1/4 cup milk (room temperature)
1 packet Red Star Yeast (this is 7 grams or 1/4 ounce)
3 cups unbleached all purpose flour
3 Tbsp softened butter
1/4 cup sugar
3/4 Tsp salt
2 eggs
1 Tsp cinnamon (or less if you don't care for cinnamon)
3/4 cup currants (or use raisins)

Wash:

1 egg yolk
2 Tbsp water

Icing:

1/2 cup powdered sugar
1/2 Tsp vanilla
1/2 Tbsp milk

Directions

Combine water and yeast in container and stir to dissolve yeast. Let rest 1 minute.

Add milk and mix for 10 seconds. Add in one cup of flour and mix, then add the other 2 cups of flour along with all the other dough ingredients, and mix for about 3 minutes or until the ingredients are incorporated and the dough is smooth and soft.

Remove the dough from the container and place on a lightly floured surface. Either spray the inside of the container with cooking spray, or rub with olive oil to prevent sticking, then smooth your dough and put it in the container to rise. Cover the container and place in a warm spot until it doubles in size.

After the dough has risen, punch it down, remove it from the container and let it rest for 10 minutes. Shape into 12 balls and place into a greased cooking pan (we used an 8 inch by 12 inch pan). If you weigh each ball to keep them the same size, they'll cook more evenly. Cover the pan and let the balls rise again.

Mix the egg yolk and water, and then brush onto the tops of each bun. Bake at 375 for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown.

Once the internal temperature of the buns is 190 degrees, they are done. Remove them from the pan and allow them to cool on a baking rack. Mix the icing ingredients and place in a small sandwich bag with a hole cut into a corner so it works as a decorating bag. When the buns have cooled, use your icing bag to form crosses on each bun. These buns have a great texture due to the milk, butter and eggs in the recipe.

                                                                       

Hot Cross Buns for Easter