Hot Cross Buns

According to Christian tradition, hot cross buns are eaten on Good Friday as a symbol of the crucifixion. For whatever reason, my family makes them fresh on Easter morning as a light breakfast before the afternoon feast. I'm not going to tell you when you're allowed; you can bake 'em on Halloween if that's what makes your yeast rise.

This is another recipe from my Aunt Helene, carefully transcribed onto a 3x5 recipe card years ago.

Hot Cross Buns
Makes one dozen buns

• 4 c. flour
• 1/2 t. cinnamon
• 1/8 t. nutmeg
• 1 t. salt
• 1/4 c. sugar
• 1/2 c. candied fruit
• 1/2 c. butter, softened
• 1 c. milk, scalded
• 1 pkg instant yeast
• 1/4 c. warm water
• 1 egg, lightly beaten
• 1/2 c. powdered sugar
• 1/8 t. vanilla
• 2 t. milk

Sift flour and set aside. Place cinnamon, nutmeg, salt, sugar, candied fruit and 1/4 c. of the butter in a large bowl. Add scalded milk and allow to cool to lukewarm, stirring to dissolve salt and sugar and melt butter. Soften yeast in warm water and add along with beaten egg to cooled milk mixture.

Stir in 3 1/2 c. flour about one cup at a time, beating vigorously to blend. Add remaining 1/4 c. butter and mix well. Scrape dough from the side of the bowl and brush the top and sides of the dough with a little soft butter.

Cover dough and let rise in a warm place about two hours until doubled in size. Turn out on floured surface and knead lightly, adding flour until dough is no longer sticky. Shape dough into two dozen round buns. Place apart on greased baking pans, cover and let rise until doubled in size.

Slash top with sharp knife to form cross. Bake at 425 degrees for 10-14 minutes. Remove from oven and spread lightly with butter to keep top soft.

For the frosting, mix powdered sugar, vanilla and 2 t. milk until smooth. Fill crosses with the frosting.

Related sites
→ Sam prefers her British-style hot cross buns baked with golden syrup. I've never had them her way, but I'm sure mine are much better. (Knowing Sam, that's wishful thinking.)
→ Wikipedia entry for hot cross buns.
→ A history of hot cross buns.