Yep they were good – No crosses but I decided that didn’t matter for Phil and me. I have recieved many photos of beautiful Hot Cross Buns and as long as they don’t include chocolate they looked amazing. Remember the chocolate is for the Easter Eggs .!!!
My recipe comes from a Hazel Day who contributed in the St Hildas Cook Book. They never fail and taste so spicy and fruity . I added some of my favourite citrus peel to mine.
Hot Cross Buns
3 teaspoons dried yeast, 1tablespoon sugar, 1/2 cup warm water . Combine the yeast, sugar, and warm water in a bowl. Leave for 5-10 minutes until frothy.
1 cup milk, 75 grams butter, 1/2 cup sugar – Warm together until butter is melted and sugar is dissolved. Add to the yeast mixture. (not too hot or you will kill your yeast)
1 1/2 cups flour, 4 teaspoons cinnamon, 4 teaspoons mixed spice, 1 teaspoon ground cloves , 1 teaspoon salt, 1/2 cup sultanas, 1/2 cup currants, 1/2 cup citrus peel, 1 egg, – beaten Combine the yeast mixture with spices, dried fruit, flour and egg. Add more flour up to 2 cups until the mix forms a soft dough . Knead for 5-10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
Cut the dough into 4 then each quarter into 5 , shape into a bun and place on a greased oven tray . Cover and leave in a warm place until twice the original size. Bake at 200 C for 12-15 minutes or until golden and brown.
I made my Hot Cross Buns in a my Kitchen Aid and although I mixed all the dry ingredients together, I only measured out half and halved the liquids so I made 1 smaller batch of buns now and another in a couple of days..
Gluttonous maybe – But two hot cross buns each for lunch was sublime and of course dripping with butter and a good short black.
We are enjoying the Pumpkin, Tomato and Lentil soup I made yesterday and tonights simple dinner was a bowl of soup,
It is Autumn here in Central Otago and it doesn’t t much better.
Happy Easter everyone .XXX
