Hot Cross Buns
Hot Cross Buns that you'll want again and again!

When you want something a little special for breakfast, these hot cross buns will knock your socks off! Move over toast... the buns are back in town!
Prep Time: 3 Hours Cook Time: 25 Minutes Ready In: Overnight Servings: 24
--------------------------------------------------
INGREDIENTS
1 cup milk 2 tablespoons dry active yeast 1/2 cup sugar 2 teaspoons salt 1/3 cup butter, melted and cooled 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg 4 eggs 5 cups all-purpose flour 1-1/2 cups raisins 1 egg white
Glaze:
1-1/2 cups powdered sugar 1 tablespoon finely grated lemon zest 1 tablespoon lemon extract 2-3 tablespoons milk
--------------------------------------------------
DIRECTIONS:
1. In a sauce pan, heat milk until very warm (110 degrees).
2. Pour warm milk into the bowl of your mixer.
3. Sprinkle yeast over the top and let sit for 5 minutes to activate.
4. Fit mixer with dough hook. At low speed, add sugar, salt, butter, spices, and eggs.
5. Gradually add flour. Once flour is combined, knead with dough hook for 6 minutes.
6. Turn mixer off and detach hook. Cover bowl with plastic wrap and let sit on the counter for 45 minutes to rest.
7. Remove plastic and re-insert dough hook. Knead for 4 more minutes. Add raisins.
8. Form dough into a ball (it will be sticky). Put dough into a greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let rise overnight in the refrigerator.
9. Take dough out of the refrigerator and let sit for 30 minutes to warm up. Line 2 cookie sheets with parchment paper. Divide dough into 24 equal portions.
10. Shape each portion in a ball and place 12 balls on each cookie sheet about 1/2" apart.
11. Cover with a clean towel and let rise in a warm place for 1-1/2 hours.
12. With a serrated knife, carefully slash on "X" on the top of the buns. Brush with egg white.
13. Bake buns in a 400 degree oven for 10 minutes. Without opening the oven door, reduce temperature to 350 and bake an additional 15 minutes.
14. While the buns are baking, whisk together all of the glaze ingredients. Drizzle glaze over hot cross buns and serve.
Don't forget to READ THE LETTERS that lead to this advice!


|