Video:Hot Cross Buns Recipe

Transcript:Hot Cross Buns Recipe

Today I’m going to show you how to make hot cross buns using a recipe from Homecooking.about.com.

Hot Cross Bun Recipe Ingredients:

• 3-3/4 - 4-1/4 cups of flour
• 1 package of active dry yeast
• 1 teaspoon of cinnamon
• 3/4 cup of milk
• 1/2 cup of cooking oil
• 1/3 cup of sugar
• 1/2 teaspoon of salt
• 3 eggs
• 2/3 cup of currants or raisins
• 1 slightly beaten egg white1 cup of sifted powdered sugar
• 1 tablespoon of milk
• 1/4 teaspoon of vanilla
• a little additional milk
• 1/2 cup chopped hazelnuts (filberts) (optional)

Mix the Hot Cross Bun Dough

To begin, add 1-1/2 cups of the flour to a large mixing bowl. Now, add the yeast. Add the cinnamon.

Stir well. In a small saucepan pour in 3/4 cup milk and warm on medium heat, add the oil, pour in the sugar, sprinkle with salt. Continue heating until the mixture is warm and stir until smooth.

Add the wet ingredients to the flour mixture. Now add the eggs. Beat on low with an electric mixer for 30 seconds. Scrape the bowl with a spatula. Continue beating the mixture for 3 minutes on high. Sprinkle in the raisins or currants. Stir with a spatula or a wooden spoon. If you like you can also add hazelnuts. Add the remaining flour to the bowl and stir until it starts to take on a dough texture.

Knead the Hot Cross Bun Dough

Flour a clean work area. Now set the dough on the floured surface. Knead the bread until it is firm but still moist. Sprinkle with additional flour if it is still sticky. Continue kneading for 3 -5 minutes.

Shape the dough into a ball. Grease a bowl. Carefully place the dough inside. Turn the dough once to grease both sides. Cover with a cloth and allow the bread to rise until it is nearly doubled in size. This will take about 1 -1/2 hours.

Punch the dough down. Remove it from the bowl and place it on a floured surface. Cover it again and let it sit for 10 additional minutes.

Divide Dough into 20 Buns

Now divide the dough into about 20 pieces. Shape each portion of the dough into a round ball. Grease a baking sheet. Place the buns 1-1/2 inches apart the baking sheet. Cover the buns and let them rise until they have nearly doubled in size. This should take about 30 to 45 minutes.

Bake and Drizzle Buns with Icing

Now use a sharp knife and cut a shallow “X” into the top of each bun. Brush or drizzle with with egg white. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes at 375-degree F.  The buns will be golden brown will ready. Allow to cool slightly before serving.

In a mixing bowl, add the powdered sugar, now pour in the milk, add the vanilla. Stir well. Drizzle the icing over the buns. Thank you for watching, for more information, go to food.about.com