by Rhea Wood

Created on: June 04, 2007

Hot Cross Buns
A delicious, classic bun recipe full of flavor.

You will need:
2/3 cup milk
4 tablespoons butter
1/4 teaspoon minced orange peel (optional)
3 cups flour
1/8 teaspoon ground cloves
1/4 teaspoon ground cardamom
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground nutmeg
1/4 teaspoon powdered ginger
3/4 cup dried fruit, such as raisons
1 egg
1 package dried yeast
egg wash (1 beaten egg)

Cross Icing:
3 tablespoons flour
2 teaspoons sugar
3 tablespoons water

Glaze:
1 tablespoon powdered sugar
1/4 teaspoon hot water

How to Make:
1. Heat milk, butter, and minced orange peel until warm.
2. Stir together the spices and flour in a large bowl.
3. Add dried fruit and yeast to the flour, mix well.
4. Pour in beaten egg and warm milk, mix into a dough.
5. Knead dough until soft and pliable. Leave dough to rise in a warm place for 1 1/2 hours.
6. Take risen dough, knock back, and divide into 16 pieces. Knead each into a ball, place on a greased baking sheet.
7. Score tops with an X shape and leave to rise again for 45 minutes in a warm place, so they join.
8. When risen, brush with the egg wash.
9. Mix flour, sugar, and water for the cross icing. Fill the X marks with the icing.
10. Bake at 425 degrees F for 15-20 minutes.
11. When they come out of the oven, mix the sugar and hot water and brush the glaze over the buns.

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