Hot Cross Buns.

Here is my recipe for Hot Cross Buns, if you would like to bake some.
They were so very yummy that the batch I made yesterday have all gone, so I am just going to make some more.

Hot Cross Buns

2 teaspoons sugar
1/4 cup warm water
1 tablespoon dried yeast
3 1/2 to 4 cups of flour
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1.4 teaspoon ascorbic acid
powder
2 teaspoons cinnamon
3 teaspoons mixed spice
1/4 cup brown sugar
1 egg
3 tablespoons oil
1 cup warm milk
1 cup of sultanas

Cross mixture
1/2 cup flour
1 tablespoon oil
3 to 4 tablespoons water

Glaze
1/4 cup water
1/4 cup sugar.


Dissolve the sugar in warm water. Sprinkle over yeast and stand in a warm place until frothy. Sift in the flour, salt, ascorbic acid, cinnamon and mixed spice into a large bowl. Mix in the brown sugar.Lightly beat the egg and oil. Add yeast mixture, egg mixture and warm milk to the flour. Mix well to form a soft, sticky dough.
Turn the dough on to a lightly floured board. Knead for 10 - 15 minutes or until the dough springs back when lightly touched.Place the dough in a greased bowl and turn over so the top of the dough is greased. Cover with plastic wrap and leave in a warm place for 40 minutes or until doubled in size. Punch the dough down with a clenced fist. Lightly knead for a further 5 mins. incorporating the fruit.
Divide the dough into 16 equal portions. Roll each portion into buns. Place the buns
on a lightly greased baking tray 1 cm apart. Cover with a clean cloth and leave in a warm place for the buns to double in size. Pipe the cross mixture on to the buns.
Bake at 200 c for 10 - 15 mins or until lightly browned. Brush buns with g;aze while still hot Cool on a wire rack.
Enjoy.

Makes 16

Cross mixture
Combine the flour and oil. Mix in sufficient water to form a soft piping consistency.

Glaze
Combine the water and sugar in a small saucepan. Bring to the boil stirring all the time. Boil 1 - 2 minutes.

Note Ascorbic acid powder is Vitamin C and is available from chemist and supermarkets.
It helps speed up the rising process.
I did not have any ascorbic acid, but I did put in a squirt of lemon juice which was fine.

Happy Easter

Hugs Carolyn