Hot Cross Buns-2009 Easter

Juggling work with a toddler running behind me like a tail does not give me much spare time. So I baked Hot Cross Buns today, even though Good Friday is already passed.

Hot Cross Buns Recipe

Ingredients:
3/4 cup warm water
3 tbsp butter
1 tbsp instant powdered milk
1/4 cup white sugar
1/4 tsp salt
1 egg
1 egg white
3 cups all-purpose flour
1 tbsp active dry yeast
1 cup dried fruit mix, coarsely chopped (I used raisins, pears, plums, cranberries and apricots )
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp all spice

1 egg yolk
2 tbsp water
1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
1/4 tsp vanilla extract
2 tsp milk

Directions:
1. Put warm water, butter, milk powder, sugar, salt, egg, egg white, flour, and yeast
in Kitchen Aid mixing bowl. Knead it with the dough hook for 5 mins.
2. Add dried fruits, cinnamon and all spice and continue kneading for 5 more mintures. Leave in the bowl and let it rise till double.
3. Transfer the dough on a floured surface, press it down. Cover and let rest for 10 mins.
4. Shape into 12 balls and place in a 9 x 12 inch pan lined with parchment paper and well greased. Cover and let rise till double, about 35-40 mins.
5. Mix egg yolk and 2 tablespoons water. Brush on balls.
6. Bake at 375F (preheated oven) for 21 mins. Remove from pan immediately and
cool on wire rack.
7. To make crosses: mix together confectioners' sugar, vanilla, and milk in a measure cup. Pour it in a small Sandwich bag, seal and cut a small corner. Draw crosses on cooled buns.

Fresh out of the oven:


"What is Mama doing up there?"


"O0h, making the cross on the baked goodies!"


P.S. I had to make another batch today (On Easter day) since we ate almost all of those I baked yesterday. This time, I made 16 of them since they can be big after rising.

They look great and taste fantastic!