Tuesday, April 03, 2007

Hot Cross Buns

In England, hot-cross buns-soft and slightly sweet little cakes with a cross cut into the tops-are traditionally served on Good Friday.


You can never have too much icing!


Ingredients:

12 Tablespoons (1 1/2 sticks) unsalted butter melted and cooled, plus more for bowl and baking sheet
1 Cup plus 1 tablespoon milk
2 active dry yeast
1/2 Cup granulated sugar
2 Teaspoons plus one pinch salt
3/4 Teaspoon ground cinnamon
3/4 Teaspoon freshly grated nutmeg
4 large eggs lightly beaten
5 1/2 Cups all-purpose flour plus more for dusting
1 1/3 Cups currants

Egg Wash and Icing
1 large egg white
2 Cups confectioners' sugar
2 Tablespoons freshly squeezed lemon juice (I substituted milk)

Directions:


1. Generously butter a large bowl. In a small saucepan set over medium heat, heat 1 cup milk until it is warm to the touch.

2. Pour warm milk into the bowl of an electric mixer fitted with the dough hook. With mixer on low, add yeast, granulated sugar, 2 teaspoons salt, melted butter, cinnamon, nutmeg, and beaten eggs.

3. With mixer on low, add flour, 1 cup at a time, until a soft, slightly sticky dough forms around the dough hook, about 3 minutes. Continue kneading, scraping down hook and sides of bowl as necessary until smooth, about 4 minutes longer. Add currants, and knead until combined, about 30 seconds.

4. Turn dough out onto a heavily floured surface. Knead by hand to evenly distribute currants, about 1 minute.

5. Shape dough into a ball, and place in the buttered bowl; turn ball to coat with butter, and cover bowl tightly with plastic wrap. Let dough rise in a warm place until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour 20 minutes. For a richer flavor, let dough rise in a refrigerator overnight.

6. Generously butter an 11-by-17-inch baking sheet. Turn dough out onto work surface, and knead briefly to redistribute the yeast. Divide dough into twenty-four equal pieces, about 2 ounces each. Shape pieces into tight balls, and place on baking sheet, spaced 1/2 inch apart. Cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place until touching and doubled in bulk, 45 minutes to 1 hour.

7. Heat oven to 375 degrees;, with rack positioned in center. To make egg wash, whisk together egg white, 1 tablespoon water, and pinch of salt in a small bowl; brush tops of buns with egg wash. Using very sharp scissors or a buttered slicing knife, slice a cross into the top of each bun. Transfer pan to oven, and bake until golden brown, about 25 minutes. Transfer pan to a wire rack to cool.
8. Make glaze: In a medium bowl, whisk together 1 tablespoon milk, confectioners’ sugar, and lemon juice. Pipe or ladle glaze over buns, and serve.

Hot cross buns,
Hot cross buns,
one ha' penny,
two a penny,
hot cross buns.

If you have no daughters,
give them to your sons,
one ha' penny,
two a penny,
Hot Cross Buns



They make a great breakfast with a hot cup of tea or coffee!

33 comments:

Lori said...

MMM MMMNNN!!! You are making me hungry this morning. Those sure look good.

Thanks for sharing the recipe.

Candy said...

Yum, cant wait to make them soon!!!!
Thanks!! :)

Karen said...

Oh my word! Something deliciously sweet would be good right now!
Thank you for posting the recipe!
Blessing and Hugs,
Karen

Heather said...

Thank you for sharing your recipe. I think I am going to try to make these later this week!

Rebecca said...

Wow-deliciousness! Your kitchen always seems to have something wonderful brewing...or simmering...or baking! ;-) I just love your blog...but you knew that! ;-)

Trella said...

These look very yummy! I can't wait to try!
Trella

LBP said...

They look delicious! I love almost any kind of bread.

Amber said...

Those look really good...I was surprised to see that the recipe wasn't too difficult!

Tracy said...

Yum!! These look really good. I'm always happy when you add photos with the recipes. It makes them more appealing.

Gena said...

Those look so good! I have never made Hot Cross Buns. I might have to try them this year.

Jodi said...

Oh, Kelli, I'll be singing that song all afternoon now - lol! That was the VERY first song I played when I began taking flute lessons in first grade.

Yours look delicious! :o)

Anonymous said...

Oh, my those looks wonderful. I would LOVE to have hot cross buns and coffee in your garden. Wouldn't that just be a treat????

Calico Sky said...

I'm in England at the moment, let me tell you they are EVERYWHERE for Easter!!!

smilnsigh said...

Mmmmm, they look sooooooooo good. But then, everything you picture, looks so good. You have a very lucky family!

Mari-Nanci

Julieann said...

YUMMY!!!!!

Thank you for the recipe Kelli:)

Julieann:)

Corin said...

Those sound really yummy Kelli! Thanks for sharing the recipe!

Carole Burant said...

Oh my, I haven't had a homemade Hot Cross Bun in ages!! Do you deliver??? hehe Oh Kelli, these look so good, thank you so much for sharing your recipe:-) xox

Susie said...

We love hot cross buns, but they're getting harder to find at Easter. Yours don't have the candied fruit that the ones I've found out here have. Have you ever had them that way?
Thanks for sharing...
I'll be trying your recipe soon!
:)

Heather @ Marine Corps Nomads said...

Those look so good. They're making me hungry just looking at them!

CONNIE W said...

Kelli, The hot cross buns look divine. If I stop by, may I sample one of yours with some tea, please? virtually speaking, of course! But it sounds like such a wonderful idea. Happy Easter to you and your family. :)

Christie Belle said...

Oh, my tummy is growling! These look delicious, with a big glass of cold milk! I'd be a happy girl:) This one is going on my list of "have to try's".

Lena said...

I love hot cross buns and yours look delicious. I wish I had time to bake them, but I won't this year. Luckily we have a nice bakery nearby that sells them this time of year. I'll pick some up there tomorrow and save your recipe for next time. Thanks Kelli, and thank you for always being so kind to drop by and say hello.

Lisa said...

Licking the computer screen... *MMM*

Diane @ A Watered Garden said...

Hi Kelli, I have really enjoyed visiting your blog this morning! I plan to be back often... we seem to enjoy so many of the same things! (recipes, photos, bread baking, family, crafts!) I would like to post a link on my blog for you so others can enjoy as well. Do you mind? I will have fun trying a few of your recipes you have shared. Thanks for a great blog! Diane

Jennifer in MS said...

Yum!! Those looks so good!
Thanks for sharing the recipe!

Have a blessed day!

couragetocreatewriteandlove said...

Congratulations on your award!!!

Marci said...

Kelli, you won a award. Check my blog to copy and paste

Laurie said...

I have always wanted to make hot cross buns, these look delicious!
Kelli, I hope you and your family have a lovely blessed Easter!

Naturegirl said...

Kelli just popping in to say Happy Easter to you and your adorable family!hugs and peace NG

Kelley said...

Oh Kelli, everything looks so yummy!
Wanted to come by and wish you a blessed Easter weekend!

Gypsy Purple said...

Have a great and blessed
Easter

Anita said...

Mmmmmmmmmmm, they look delicous! I'd like to have one now for breakfast.... ;-)))

smileymamaT said...

Wow I'm kinda jealous of your domestic skills!!! I always think I'll bake something like that, then I make a brownie mix and call it a baking day. They look delicious though...your parent's house is so pretty! I'm a little worried 'bout the white rugs, probably as I have kids and pets all over my house..the decorations are lovely, I agree with you, I like the yellow and white.
T