HOW TO MAKE EASY HOT CROSS BUNS FOR GOOD FRIDAY OR FOR ANYTIME YOU WANT A FLAVORFUL FRUIT-FILLED BUN

HOT CROSS BUNS

 

 



Spicy, fruit filled buns with a cross marked on the top are a speciality for the Holy Day Good Friday.  However, I think they are wonderful for any time of the year.  Traditionally the cross is white to symbolize Christ, but I thought that it would be interesting to try other cross colors.  Traditionally the buns were served hot and toasted, and the fruit was dried currants and citron.  I don't like citron so I use candied lemon peel or candied orange peel instead.  Modern times have made all kinds of dried fruits available.  Dried cherries, cranberries, pineapple, or blueberries would also be delicious in these buns.  For other times of year, frost the whole top of the bun.

 

 

In 1592, Queen Elizabeth 1 ruled that spiced fruited buns could only be served on Good Friday, Christmas, and at burials.  She probably wanted all the tasty buns for herself.  Thankfully that law has fallen by the wayside.

 

 

I make the dough for the buns in my bread machine.  Bread machine have become passe in recent years, when my old bread machine died a couple of years ago, I couldn't wait to get another one.  It makes baking so much easier and convenient.  

 

 

 

 

 

HOT CROSS BUNS FOR A BREAD MACHINE OR FOR WITHOUT A BREAD MACHINE

1 ½ LB. BREAD MACHINE PAN OR LARGER

¾ c lukewarm water

1 egg

4 T butter

1 t salt

1/3 c sugar

3 T instant powdered milk

3 c all-purpose flour

1 t cinnamon

1/2 t ground allspice

1/4 t nutmeg

2 1/4 t instant yeast

3/4 to 1 c dried currants

1/4 c candied lemon peel, optional

 

EGG WASH

1 egg yolk

1 T water

Ingredients:  Flour, sugar, salt, instant dry milk, butter, yeast, eggs, allspice, nutmeg, cinnamon, dried currants, and candied lemon peel.

 

ICING

1/2 c powdered sugar

1/2 t vanilla

2 t milk

 

 

You can make an icing for the crosses or do like I do and use commercial icing. 

 

 

Place all ingredients in bread pan of a bread machine in order given for your machine.  Select DOUGH setting.  Press START.  Add fruit when your machine signals to add.  When cycle is finished, shape dough in preferred shape. Put shaped dough into greased baking pan.  Cover.  Let rise for about 1 hour in a warm place.  Brush with egg yolk/water mixture.  Bake in a preheated 350° oven.  Bake for 20 to 30 minutes or until lightly brown and rolls test done.  Cool on wire rack.

Place ingredients in bread pan according to your brand's directions.  Add currants and lemon peel at the end of the kneading process.

Remove dough from bread pan.

Cut dough in half to make two 8x8-inch pans of buns.



Divide one-half of the dough into thirds.

Then cut the three pieces in half for six buns.




Shape the 6 pieces of into buns and place in a greased 8x8-inch pan.

Cut second half of dough into 8 pieces.

 

 

 

 



Cut the pointed ends off the 8 pieces to make a 9th bun.

Shape 9 pieces into buns and put into greased 8x8-inch pan.

Place pans in a warm place.  Cover pans with a dish towel.  Let rise until double in bulk.



  

Put egg yolk into a bowl with water.

Beat well.

Cut a cross into the top of the buns with a floured scissors, if desired.

Brush tops of buns with egg yolk wash.  Bake in preheated 350 degree F. oven for 20 to 30 minutes depending on the size of the buns.

Baked buns.

Smaller buns in the 9 bun pan.

 Don't wait for a holiday to enjoy these buns.
Enjoy, enjoy, enjoy!!!

TO MAKE HOT CROSS BUNS WITHOUT A BREAD MACHINE

 

Use 1 pkg. yeast

Reduce salt to ½ t

 

In a large mixing bowl combine 2 cups of flour and the yeast.  In a saucepan heat and stir milk, butter, sugar and salt just until warm (120° to 130°) and butter almost melted.  Add to flour mixture along with egg and almond extract.  Beat with electric mixer on low speed for 30 seconds.  Beat on high speed for 3 minutes.  Stir in remaining cup of flour.  Turn out on floured surface and knead to make a moderately soft dough that is smooth and elastic.  Shape dough into a ball.  Place in a greased bowl; turn once.  Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled (about 1 hour).  Punch dough down and shape into 24 balls.  Place balls in greased 9x13-inch baking pan.  Cover and place in warm place until doubled (about 1 hour).  Brush with butter and bake as directed in Bread Machine Recipe.