Hot Cross Buns

Hot cross bun are traditionally eaten on Good Friday. The cross on these buns probably symbolized the four seasons, originally.  Later, Christians adopted the buns to mark Good Friday and the crucifixion.     I prepared the dough for these hot cross buns in the bread machine (of course)!

1 cup milk

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup butter

1 1/2 teaspoons dry yeast

1 egg

4 cups bread flour

1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

1/4 teaspoon allspice

1/2 cup raisins

1/4 cup dried cranberries

Place first 9 ingredients in bread machine pan in order listed in ingredient list.  Set bread machine on dough setting and start the machine.  Add the raisins and cranberries about five minutes before the kneading cycle is finished.  (Some bread machines will “beep,” indicating when additions to the dough are to be placed in the pan.)

Remove dough from pan and place on a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into 12 even pieces and shape each piece into a ball.  Place the dough balls on greased cookie sheets.  Cover and let rise for 30-45 minutes.

While dough is rising, you can prepare the pastry for the crosses. The ingredients are:

1/2 cup flour

2 tablespoons butter

Cut the butter into the flour with a pastry blender or you can use your fingers to rub the butter into the flour until it resembles cornmeal.  Add enough water to make a soft pastry that can be piped through a round pastry tip.

After the dough as risen, pipe a cross on each bun.

Bake buns for 20 minutes or until golden brown.

While buns are backing prepare the glaze by heating:

1/4 cup sugar

1/4 cup water

in a small sauce pan.  Stir on low heat until sugar dissolves.

Brush each bun with the glaze while buns are still hot.

Cool on wire racks.

Enjoy your hot cross bun spread with creamy butter.

May His blessings shine upon you on Good Friday!