Happy Easter, to my friends everywhere

Wishing you all a very beautiful Easter
An Easter filled with childhood dreams ... like chocolate eggs, beauty and wonder.

For I remember it is Easter morn
And life and love and Peace are all new born.
~ Alice Freeman Palmer

Hugs
Carolyn

Easter Greetings!

Traditions are important and every holiday, carries with it a tradition.
I like to continue a tradition that I grew up with and I hope that I can pass some of them on to my family.
On Good Friday, I bake a batch of hot cross buns, which get eaten up very quickly I might add.
My Son said, I wished we could have these more often,... than once a year.
The smell of the cinnamon and spice wafting about the kitchen is wonderful.
If you want to make some, the recipe is under my other Easter post, (links you might like)

Daylight saving time ended for us here in New Zealand, on Sunday the clocks went back one hour. It always takes a while to adjust and get used to the change.

We have had another fine weekend in Paradise here, done a lot of walking, picked some of the olives on the trees and we went to the Farmers market. It has been a relaxing and lovely break.

I hope that your Easter break, is filled with much love and happy times.
Hugs
Carolyn

In time for Easter

I am a little bit early, but just want to share a few Easter images from around the house and to wish all my friends a wonderful and happy Easter weekend.

Walking in to a fine department store yesterday, I found it hard to choose, from the wonderful assortment of chocolate and candy treats from all around the world. I really did feel like a small kid in a candy store and was happy when I had made my choice and was able to walk out of the shop, with my bag of goodies.
I will be baking a batch of hot cross buns on Good Friday, which I do every year and they get eaten up quickly, because they do taste good.
Hardly surprising that this time of the year, my exercise regimen needs to be kicked up a notch.

I hope you are all doing well and having an enjoyable week.

Happy Easter
Hugs
Carolyn

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

Wishing you a happy Easter

Oh don't we all love a long weekend.
I am hoping to read some really good books and go for some lovely walks.
I have made my weekend sound like a health retreat but I do have my fix of chocolate
(have I told you I like chocolate Easter eggs) and I will bake some hot cross buns.
We have some friends coming to visit, so that will be great.

I would like to wish you all a safe and enjoyable Easter holiday with your Family and friends.

Hugs
Carolyn

ps. I have a Giveaway, to celebrate my 100th post! if you would like to enter on my previous post, would be happy if you do. Thanks C