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.