Friday, February 24, 2012

Anna Sultana's Easy Homemade Hot Cross Buns

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

Yeah, right.  Try getting 2 buns for a penny. 
Even when they are on sale.
As they are now, now that Lent is here. 

Okay, these will cost more than a penny to make, but they are cheaper than 
store-bought, and you can serve them fresh and warm from the oven.

And the recipe includes cinnamon, cloves and nutmeg.
Allspice can add a kick, too.
If you've found that you like one spice more than another, adjust.


Hey, Lent isn't just about depriving yourself.


                        Easy Hot Cross Buns
          
grease a large cookie pan         
preheat oven to 400º           
bake 25 minutes 

Combine
1 Tablespoon sugar
2 Tablespoons yeast
1/2 Cup warm water
Let sit 10 minutes.

Stir in
2 Cups warm water
4 Tablespoons margarine
2/3 Cup sugar
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon ground cloves
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

Beat in
4 eggs
1 Cup raisins
1/2 Cup currants
1/2 Cup diced citron
8 - 9 Cups flour
Knead dough on a floured board 15 minutes. 
Place in a greased bowl, cover, let rise 1 1/2 hours.
Punch down and divide evenly into 24 balls.
Shape into buns and place on prepared pan.
Cut a shallow cross on top.

Combine 
1 egg yolk
1 tablespoon water
Brush buns with egg mixture.
Let rise 35 minutes.
Bake 25 minutes.
Cool 15 minutes.

While the buns are cooling, combine for icing cross
1 Cup icing sugar
2 Tablespoons lemon juice
1 teaspoon lemon extract
enough water to make a firm frosting
Spoon icing in cross grooves on the buns.

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