Easter Hot cross buns

Hot Cross Buns signify for many Christians the death of Christ of the Cross and his resurrection. This is why they are sold at Easter time. There is no hard evidence where and why they originated, some think even the Greeks developed the Hot Cross Bun. Never - the - less there is nothing quite like the wafting smell of freshly baked Easter Hot Cross Buns to bring the family and friends home to enjoy and share this delicious treat. They are also not that hard to make.

Hot cross buns! Hot cross buns!
One a penny, two a penny - Hot cross buns.
If you have no daughters, give them to your sons
One a penny, two a penny - Hot cross buns.

Ingredients - makes 16 plain hot cross buns. (Amounts include the cross on top)

• 1 1/2 cups milk warmed
• 2 tsp dried yeast
• 1/4 cup caster sugar
• 60g melted butter
• 1 whisked egg
• 4 1/2 cups plain flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 3 tsp mixed spice
• 1/3 cup cold water

For Fruit Hot Cross Buns add

• 1 cup sultanas
• 1/4 cup currants
• 1/4 cup dried mixed peel

Glaze

• 1/2 cup smooth apricot jam

1. In a bowl, stir the yeast and 1 tbs of sugar into the milk and let stand for 10 mins. The yeast needs to proof and become frothy.
2. Whisk the butter and egg into the milk mixture. In another bowl mix only four cups of the flour, remaining sugar salt and mixed spice. Next add in the sultanas, currants and mixed peel . Stir it all together. Make a well in the centre of the dry ingredients then pour in the liquid mixture using a wooden spoon to combine well. You may want to use your hands for this part.
3. Knead the dough on a flour board for 15 minutes or until it is elastic and smooth. Put the dough back in the bowl and cover over with a damp cloth. In a warm place let it sit to rise for an hour.
4. Preheat oven to 200°C. Grease a 23cm square pan or a rectangle pan if you have it instead. Deflate the dough a bit by punching with your fist then turn back out onto floured board and knead for another few minutes until it is smooth and elastic again.
5. Divide the dough up evenly. It should make about 16 buns. Make then into balls and place next to each other on a tray. Set aside for another 1/2 hour until buns have risen.
6. While the buns are rising mix together the water and leftover flour to make a smooth paste. This is to make the crosses on top of the buns. Put the mixture into a small ziplock back and snip of a small part of the corner so it turns into a piping bag.
7. Pipe a line across the middle of all the buns then turn tray 90 degrees and repeat to form the crosses on top of the buns.
8. Place in preheated oven for 10 minutes. Reduce the oven heat to 180°C and continue to bake the buns for another 20 minutes or until golden . Tap the buns on the bottom. If the sound hollow then they are cooked!
9. Let cool a bit on a wire rack. While the buns are cooling slightly heat the jam in a saucepan over high heat. Continuously stir jam until it melts, approx 2 mins. Use a fine sieve and strain any pieces and lumps out of the jam. Brush hot jam over the buns.Voila - they are all done.
10. To serve - warm or toasted and add butter.

• Gluten free flour for gluten intolerant people.
• Craisins instead of the sultanas and currants
• Choc chips can bee added instead of all the fruit for chocolate Hot Cross Buns.
• Try mixing in chopped pecan or walnuts.

You'll make these more and more often when you realise really how easy and popular Hot Cross Buns are. Be sure to try the variety suggestions as they are very good as well. And of course make a heap this Easter to share around and get you into the Easter spirit.

Check out my other Easter hubs

Easter nailart easy to do

Easter crafts -how to make mini Easter baskets and Easter nests.

Easter craft Easter bunny How to make a cute and easy Rabbit.

Some of my other recipe hubs to read are :

Bruschetta recipes - easy and make them in 15 mins

How to make Mamma's best pizza dough.

How to Desserts, make in 10 mins - 3 non cook, easy ideas Yummo!

If you enjoyed my hub please check out my other hubs, comment, share and email the link to friends and checkout the items printed in blue for my recommendations and links.