There is already a recipe for Hot Cross Buns in the archives, in addition to a great post on the History of Hot Cross Buns, but since I tried a new recipe this year I thought I would share it with you all.
It has been a busy week, since a number of my children have been sick with a stomach bug, and I wanted to try and save a little time by making this years Hot Cross Buns in my bread-maker.
I ended up modifying a recipe I found at All Recipes. I also topped the buns with flour-and-water dough crosses, as suggested by Joanna Bogle
(this is the way my Grandmother always made her Hot Cross Buns!) and I am very pleased with the results. Here is the recipe:Hot Cross Buns
Ingredients:
3/4 cup warm milk (110 degrees F)
3 tablespoons butter
1/4 cup white sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 egg
1 egg white
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tablespoon active dry yeast
3/4 cup dried currants or raisins
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1 egg yolk
2 tablespoons water
For the crosses: 1 oz. flour, a little cold water (I also added about 1/2 Tbsp of Sugar)
Directions:
Put warm milk, butter, 1/4 cup sugar, salt, egg, egg white, flour, and yeast in bread maker and start on dough program. When 5 minutes of kneading are left, add currants and cinnamon.
Leave in machine till double.
Punch down on floured surface, cover, and let rest 10 minutes.
Shape into 12 balls and place in a greased 9 x 12 inch pan. Cover and let rise in a warm place till double, about 35-40 minutes.
Mix egg yolk and 2 tablespoons water. Brush on balls.
Make the crosses for the buns: mix flour and water in a bowl to form a pastry. Roll out dough and cut into thin strips. Place these across the buns to form crosses.
Bake at 375 degrees F for 20 minutes. Remove from pan immediately and cool on wire rack.
this sounds wonderful! Can you clarify something, though. Your ingredient list and the recipe don't quite match up. In your recipe the first sentence says to add the warm water and skim milk powder. I don't see either of those listed in the ingredient list. I do see warm milk.... Are the warm milk the same as the skim milk powder and warm water?
ReplyDeleteThat is what I am also wondering for I want to give this a try today! I grew up Catholic but I have never heard of this before and want to start this tradition (and so many others) with my own small children. Thank you!
ReplyDeleteI'm sorry. It looks like I didn't do a very good job of proofreading before posting.
ReplyDeleteThe original recipe called for water and instant milk powder. I didn't have any instant milk powder, so I substituted with warm 2% milk. I will correct the directions above.
I hope you have a Blessed Good Friday!
Are you sure it's a tablespoon of yeast? It seems like a lot. I'm just going to use a teaspoon in case. Can you check if it is a teaspoon or tablespoon of yeast?
ReplyDeleteYes, the original recipe does call for 1 tablespoon of yeast.
ReplyDeleteI just made them again - this time using a 1 packet of yeast / just under a tablespoon - and they turned out fine.
DeleteI just made these and they are reallllly good!
ReplyDeleteI also tried brushing the egg yolk mixture on top of one of the crosses and that really looked nice: it was still were light colored but had a little shine and a little color. I think I'll try them all that way next time.
Great recipe, thank you!!