271. Warm, soft, sweet, freshly made rolls just bring a smile to my face. Each year for Easter, I like to bake fresh bread in some shape or form. This year, it was Hot Cross Buns. I am amazed, when you begin to search, how many recipes there are available for bread. But, how do you know if the recipe you select is the one that will taste the best. What I usually look for first is the ingredients. If they are fresh and not prepackaged ingredients, you can be sure the recipe will have great flavor.
Hot Cross Buns
Bread Machine Method
In a glass measuring cup place:
1/2 cup milk
3 Tablespoons butter
Microwave on high or heat in a small saucepan till butter has melted.
Pour into bread machine bowl/basket. Add in the following order:
1/2 cup cold water
1 egg
1 teaspoon salt
3 cups flour
1/2 cup sugar
1 teaspoon cinnamon
1 1/2 Tablespoons yeast
Set the bread machine to the "dough" setting and "start".
After an hour, add to the dough:
1/2 cup dried currants or raisins
When dough is finished, remove from machine and place on lightly floured surface.
Cut dough in half and cut each half into 6 pieces yielding 12 rolls. Shape into round rolls and
place on parchment paper lined baking sheet. Cover with plastic wrap and let them rise at room temperature until they have doubled 45 minutes to an hour. Brush before baking with an egg wash:
1 egg
1 teaspoon warm water
Bake at 350 degrees for 20 minutes. Transfer to a wire rack.
Prepare icing in a small bowl:
1/2 cup confectioner sugar
1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 1/2 teaspoons milk
Mix and place in a small piping bag or zip lock bag with edge trimmed. Pipe a cross symbol across the top of each roll.
"Hot cross buns!
Hot cross buns!
One a penny, two a penny,
Hot cross buns!
Hot cross buns!
Hot cross buns!
If you haven’t any daughters,
Give them to your sons!
One a penny, two a penny,
Hot cross buns!
Hot cross buns!
Hot cross buns!
If you haven’t got a penny
A ha’penny will do.
If you haven’t got a ha’penny,
Well God bless you"
~Nursery Rhyme
