Breads

Hot Cross Buns

  • 2-.25oz packages Active dry yeast
  • 1/2 cups Water, lukewarm
  • 1 cups Milk, lukewarm
  • 1/2 cups Sugar
  • 1/4 cups Butter or margarine, softened
  • 1 teaspoons Vanilla extract
  • 1 teaspoons Salt
  • 1/2 teaspoons Ground nutmeg
  • 7 cups Flour
  • 4 large Eggs
  • 1/2 cups Currants
  • 1/2 cups Raisins
  • 2 tablespoons Water
  • 1 Egg yolks
  • ~ --Icing--
  • 1 cups Confectioner's sugar
  • 4 teaspoons Milk
  • ~ Dash of salt
  • 1/4 teaspoons Vanilla extract

    • In a large mixing bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm water. Add the warm milky mixture to the sugar, butter, vanilla , salt, nutmeg, and 3 cups of the flour.Beat until smooth.

    Add the eggs, one ata time, beating the mixture well after each addition. Stir in the dried fruit and remaining flour to make a soft dough.

    Turn out onto a floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 6 to 8 minutes.

    Place the dough in a greased bowl and turn over to grease the top.

    Cover with a damp towel or plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubledin size, usually about 1 hour.

    Punch the dough down and shape into 30 balls. Place on greased baking sheets.

    Using a sharp knife, cut a cross or "x" on the topof each roll. Cover again and let rise until doubled, about 30 minutes.

    Beat the water and egg yolk together and brush it over the tops of the rolls. Bake in apre-heated 375° oven for 12 to 15 minutes.

    Meanwhile, prepare the icing by combining the confectioner's sugar, milk, salt and vanilla extract in a small bowl. Stir until smooth. Adjust sugar and milkto form an icing which flows easily. Remove the buns from the oven and cool completely on wire racks. Drizzle icing over the top of each roll following the lines of the cut cross. Store in an airtight container.

    2 1/2 dozen

    This recipe courtesy of the From My Kitchen Cookbook. 

    Contributed by Vanessa Myers of Fort Worth, TX. 

    Visit http://www.frommykitchen.net and get your copy of From My Kitchen: Internet-ready recipe software.  Your kitchen will never be the same!