Hot Cross Buns

"Hot Cross Buns" are a type of sweet bread and are often served on Good Friday. This year I made about 8 dozen which were served at a special children's program at our church. Recipes vary, but we prefer this one which has a nice blend of spices.

Ingredients:

¾ c (180 ml) milk

¼ c (55 gms) sugar

¼ c butter

½ tsp salt

1 Tbsp yeast

1 tsp cinnamon

¼ tsp cloves

¼ tsp allspice

¼ tsp nutmeg

2 large eggs

3 ¾ - 4 c (455-520 gms) flour

¾ c currants or raisins

1 egg white, beaten

Glaze: - ½ c icing sugar, milk or cream, vanilla

Instructions: Scald milk. Add sugar, butter, and salt; cool to lukewarm; add yeast. Add spices and 1 ½ c flour to make a soft sponge; let rise for 20 minutes. When foamy, add eggs and more flour, a small amount at a time, kneading until you have a smooth, soft dough that will not stick to your hands. Knead in currants. Cover and let stand in a warm place until double in size. Form into Hot Cross Buns. Allow to raise until almost double in size. Bake at 375 degrees for about 15-18 minutes or until golden brown. Cool. Make glaze and spoon on bun to form a cross.

To form Hot Cross Buns: Take a good sized lump of dough. While holding in your right hand, squeeze and pinch off little pieces of dough the size of an egg or smaller. Set on a greased baking sheet and allow to raise until almost double in size. Brush with beaten egg white. With sharp knife, cut cross over top of bun before baking.