Hot Cross Buns

                         by Teresa Carr

 

 

 

Hot Cross Buns

 

From The Carr Family Favorite Recipes

 

4 to 4 ½ cups all-purpose flour

1 package active dry yeast

¾ teaspoon ground cinnamon

¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg

    Dash ground cloves

¾ cup milk

½ cup butter or margarine

1/3 cup sugar

3 eggs

2/3 cup currants or raisins

¼ cup diced candied orange peel (optional)

1 beaten egg white

1 recipe Powdered Sugar Icing (following this recipe)

 

  1. In a large mixing bowl combine 2 cups flour, yeast, cinnamon, nutmeg, and cloves. In a pan heat and stir milk, butter or margarine, sugar, and ½ teaspoon salt till warm (120° to 130°) and butter almost melts. Add milk mixture to dry mixture. Add eggs. Beat with an electric mixer on low to medium speed 30 seconds, scraping bowl. Beat on high 3 minutes. Stir in currants and orange peel (if desired), and as much remaining flour as you can.
  2. Turn out onto a lightly floured surface. Knead in enough remaining flour to make a moderately soft dough (3 to 5 minutes total). Shape into a ball. Place in a greased bowl, turning once. Cover; let rise in a warm place till double (about 1 ½ hours).
  1. Punch dough down. Turn onto floured surface. Cover; let rest 10 minutes. Divide dough into 20 portions. Shape portions into smooth balls. Place balls 1-½ inches apart on greased baking sheet. Cover; let rise till nearly double (45 to 60 minutes).
  2. Using a sharp knife, make a crisscross slash across top of each bun. In small bowl combine beaten egg white and 1 tablespoon water. Brush mixture of egg white and water over rolls. Bake in a 375° oven 12 to 15 minutes or till golden brown. Cool slightly. Drizzle Powdered Sugar Icing into crosses atop each bun. Serve warm. Makes 20.

 

 

Powdered Sugar Icing

 

1 cup sifted organic powdered sugar

¼ teaspoon pure vanilla extract

1 tablespoon milk or orange juice

 

  1. In a mixing bowl combine powdered sugar, vanilla, and milk or juice. Stir in additional milk or juice, 1 teaspoon at a time, till it reaches drizzling consistency. Makes ½ cup (enough to drizzle over one 10-inch tube cake).

q      Chocolate Powdered Sugar Icing: Prepare as above, except add 2 tablespoons unsweetened organic cocoa powder to the powdered sugar. Do not use the orange juice.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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