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Hot cross buns

Hot Cross buns are used for Ostara as well as Spring festival and Good Friday.

Ingredients

1 1⁄2 c flour (plus some more for kneading)
2 pk yeast (dry yeast)
3⁄4 c milk
1⁄2 c cooking oil
1⁄3 c sugar
1 t salt
3 egg (one apart, slightly beaten)
2⁄3 c currants
1 pn salt
1 egg white (lightly beaten)

Instructions

  1. Using a large bowl, mix 1 1/2 cups flour with the yeast and cinnamon.
  2. In a saucepan until warm the milk, vegetable oil, sugar and salt, stir constantly. Remove the mixture from heat and beat on high speed with an electric mixer for 3 minutes. Pour all of the mixture into the flour mix along with the eggs. Still using an electric mixer, beat on low for 1 minute, scrape the sides of the bowl. Turn the mixer on high and beat for an additional 4 minutes. Stir in the currant and the remaining flour.
  3. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface. Knead until you make a moderately soft dough that is smooth and elastic. Shape the dough into a ball. Lightly oil a bowl, place in dough and turn once to coat the surface of the ball. Set aside and allow the dough to rise. Doubling in size will take 1 1/2 hours.
  4. Punch down and turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Cover with a dish cloth and allow the dough to rest for 10 minutes. Divide your dough into 18 pieces, use your hands to form small, uniformed balls. Place 1 1/2 inches apart on a grease baking sheet. Cover again with the dish cloth and allow to rise. Doubling in size will take 30-45 minutes.
  5. Cut a cross into the top of each ball with a sharp knife. Brush the tops with some slightly beaten egg white. Do not discard the left over egg white.
  6. Bake at 375°F until golden in color, 12-15 minutes. While allowing the buns to cool slightly, mix the powdered sugar, vanilla, dash of salt and the reserved egg white. If needed add more milk to get the paste to a piping consistency. Use a pastry decorator to pipe crosses out onto the tops of the buns.
Total time
1 hour
Cooking time
15
Preparation time
45
Yield
18 servings

Notes

Great with tea.

Preparation time does not take into account standing time.

Source

British cuisine
easy, bake
treats, tea time
English food recipes
Food in Europe