Hot Cross Buns

Nothing feels more like Easter to me than a Hot Cross Bun! I love them. They are soft and sweet, with lots of cinnamon and raisins and who doesn't love that little white icing cross on top!

I have never tried to make my own before so this was an adventure for me. They were really very easy, the dough is made in the bread maker. They turned out perfectly, better than any of the ones from the store. I would recommend making your own for Easter Sunday breakfast, you and your family will very happy.

Here's what you need,

3/4 cup of warm water

3 tbsp of butter, melted

1 tbsp of skim milk powder

1/4 cup white sugar

1/8 tsp salt

1 whole egg + 1 egg white

3 cups flour (I used best for bread maker white flour)

1 tbsp bread maker dry yeast

3/4 cup golden raisins (or dried currents or any other chopped dried fruit you like)

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1 egg yolk

2 tbsp water

1/2 cup icing sugar

1/4 tsp vanilla extract

2-3 tsp milk

What you need to do,

Put the warm water, butter, skim milk powder, sugar salt, egg + egg white, flour and yeast in your bread maker in that order! Set your bread maker to the dough setting, it is usually 90 minutes. 30 minutes of kneading and 60 minutes of rising time. Each model may vary so make sure you read your manual.

When there is about 8 minutes left in the kneading process open the lid and slowly add the raisins and the cinnamon.  Add a little at a time and let it incorporate, then add a little more until all the raisins and cinnamon are in.  Let the bread maker finish the rising process.

When the cycle is done pull dough out onto a floured surface and gently knead a few times. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes.

After 10 minutes form dough into 12 equal sized balls and place in a greased 9x12 inch pan. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 35-40 minutes until doubled in size.

Mix the egg yolk and water and brush it onto the tops of the buns right before putting them in the oven.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees. Bake for 20 minutes rotating pan halfway through.

Remove the buns from pan immediately and cool completely on a wire rack.

Once the buns are cooled you can put the crosses on.

Mix the icing sugar, vanilla and milk together and drizzle onto buns.

Don't they look good!

Slice them open and slap on some butter.

I love Hot Cross Buns! Now that I know how easy they are to make at home I may never buy them again. Make 'Em! You will love them too.

Jen