Hot Cross Buns - A Recipe

After yesterdays This Moment post, I thought I would share this recipe.

Hot Cross Buns (from the Edmonds cookery book)

1.5 cups of milk

1 teaspoon sugar

1 tablespoon butter

2 teaspoons of yeast

4.5 cups plain flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 teaspoon cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon mixed spice

1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg

2 teaspoons sugar

Heat milk until almost boiling. Stir in first measure of sugar and butter until butter melts. Set aside until lukewarm. Sprinkle yeast over and leave in a warm place for 15 minutes or until frothy. Combine 4 cups of the flour, salt cinnamon, mixed spice and nutmeg in a bowl. Stir in second measure of sugar. Make a well in the centre of dry ingredients. Pour yeast mixture in. Beat to a soft dough, adding more dough if the dough is sticky. Mix in any extras (sultanas, peel, choc chips etc). Turn onto a lightly floured board. Knead until smooth and elastic or until dough springs back when lightly touched. Lightly brush bowl with oil. Place dough in bowl. Brush top with oil. Cover and leave in a warm place until doubled in size. Punch dough down in the centre and knead lightly. Divide mixture into 16 even sized pieces. Shape into balls. Place buns 2cm apart on a greased oven tray. Cover and leave in a warm place until doubled in size. Pipe crosses on each bun. Bake at 200c for 20 minutes or until golden. Remove from oven and brush with glaze. Cool on a wire rack.

Crosses: Mix 1/2 cup flour and 6 tablespoons of water until smooth, more water may be needed.

Glaze: Mix 1 tablespoon sugar, 1 tablespoon water, 1 teaspoon of gelatine in a saucepan, heat until dissolved, stirring constantly.

My Notes!!

I heated the milk and then added all the ingredients to the breadmaker in the order listed above. Turned it onto the dough setting and let it do its thing. I added dark chocolate chips, but due to the milk being warm they all melted in the kneading process. The buns turned out the lovely dark colour and were very tasty. Baking time was spot on...20 minutes and ready to eat. I do not glaze mine....

Perfect for afternoon tea yesterday and then reheated for brekky this morning :)

We are yet to find an Easter tradition for our family, we don't do eggs, bunnies etc. We would prefer to keep the weekend for what it truly means...What do you do with your family?

x Shara