Hot Cross Buns, Hot Cross Buns.....

So the eggs came out a week after christmas, all the easter bonnet paraphernalia hit the shops the a couple of weeks ago and the hot cross buns are in the stores too!

But im taking a stand, im refusing to pay almost $5 for a 6 pack of hot cross buns.. soooooo... i went on my own little easter hunt... A hot cross bun recipe hunt.

So the recipe is as follows :

Ingrediants

4 cups plain flour
2 x 7g sachets dried yeast
1/4 cup caster sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons mixed spice
pinch of salt
1 1/2 cups currants
40g butter
300ml milk
2 eggs, lightly beaten
Flour paste
1/2 cup plain flour
4 to 5 tablespoons water
Glaze
1/3 cup water
2 tablespoons caster sugar

Method
Combine flour, yeast, sugar, mixed spice, salt and currants in a large bowl. Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add milk. Heat for 1 minute, or until lukewarm. Add warm milk mixture and eggs to currant mixture. Use a flat-bladed knife to mix until dough almost comes together. Use clean hands to finish mixing to form a soft dough.

Turn dough out onto a floured surface. Knead for 10 minutes, or until dough is smooth. Place into a lightly oiled bowl. Cover with plastic wrap. Set aside in a warm, draught-free place for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until dough doubles in size.

Line a large baking tray with non-stick baking paper. Punch dough down to its original size. Knead on a lightly floured surface until smooth. Divide into 12 even portions. Shape each portion into a ball. Place balls onto lined tray, about 1cm apart. Cover with plastic wrap. Set aside in a warm, draught-free place for 30 minutes, or until buns double in size. Preheat oven to 190°C.

Make flour paste: Mix flour and water together in a small bowl until smooth, adding a little more water if paste is too thick. Spoon into a small snap-lock bag. Snip off 1 corner of bag. Pipe flour paste over tops of buns to form crosses. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until buns are cooked through.

Make glaze: Place water and sugar into a small saucepan over low heat. Stir until sugar dissolves. Bring to the boil. Boil for 5 minutes. Brush warm glaze over warm hot cross buns. Serve warm or at room temperature.

So a few little side notes, I found that mine needed an extra 15minutes or so in the oven. Also after Darling Son, aged 10 came home and exclaimed that he doesnt like Hot Cross Buns, I thought why not omit the mixed spice and sultanas and put a bit of cocoa and some choc chips through them.. Let me know if anyone tries this alternative!

At about 4pm i hit an energy block and needed food and caffeine.. So i grabbed a Bun and made a cuppa and sat and relaxed.. It was the afternoon tea of champions!

Cant wait to see you all tomorrow for our Pizza Prep Party! Keep an eye out for the blog of tomorrows outcomes and also some Mamabakers Profiles :)

Keep it Cookin'