Recipe for Hot Cross Buns
This recipe for hot cross buns is a classic that is perfect for Good Friday or with your Easter dinner. Currants, cinnamon, and allspice make this a delicious sweet treat.
Servings 36
Ingredients
- ½ Cup Milk
- ½ Cup Sugar
- 1½ teaspoons Salt
- ¼ Cup Shortening
- 2 Packages Yeast active dry
- 2 Eggs beaten
- 5 Cups Flour sifted
- 1 teaspoon Cinnamon
- ¼ teaspoon Allspice
- 1 Cup Currants
Frosting
- 1 Cup Powdered Sugar
- 1-2 Tablespoons Milk
- ¼ teaspoon Vanilla Extract
Instructions
Dough
- Scald milk.
- Add sugar, salt, and shortening.
- Cool to lukewarm.
- Put ½ warm water in mixing bowl.
- Sprinkle in yeast.
- Stir until dissolved.
- Stir in lukewarm milk mixture.
- Beat eggs in small bowl with whisk.
- Add eggs and 3 cups flour to above mixture.
- Beat until smooth.
- Stir in 2 more cups flour, cinnamon, allspice, and currants.
- Turn dough onto lightly floured board.
- Knead until smooth and elastic.
- Put in greased bowl and brush top with soft shortening.
- Cover, and let rise in warm place until doubled in bulk (approximately 1 hour).
- Punch down and turn onto lightly floured board.
- Let rest 10 minutes.
- Divide into walnut-sized pieces. Shape each piece into a ball.
- Place ½ inch apart in 9x13 greased pans.
- Let rise until doubled in bulk (about 45 minutes).
- Bake at 350° for 20-25 minutes.
- While baking, prepare white frosting (see below).
- Immediately remove from pans and make a cross of white frosting on each roll.
White Frosting
- Combine powdered sugar with 1 tablespoon milk.
- Add more milk as necessary until a smooth, thick glaze forms.
- Place glaze into decorating bag or resealable zipper bag with corner cut off.
Notes
- To scald milk, add milk to a shallow saucepan. Heat over medium heat and stir frequently. When small bubbles appear around the outside of the saucepan or when the temperature is 180-185 degrees Fahrenheit, the milk is scalded. Cool for about 10 minutes so it doesn't kill the yeast.
- Use a stand mixer with a dough hook instead of kneading by hand to save time.
- A whisk can be used to sift flour.