Hot Cross Buns will make your day!

I thought about baking Hot Cross Buns for a couple of reasons. First of all, I'd never made them. Secondly, it's that time of year. Springtime will be here any day and how else are we going to celebrate the Vernal Equinox - March 21st. You know - 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of night. I turned to one of my favorite cookbooks, "The Cheese Board Collective Works" which provided the recipe.



That's 1 Tbsp. active dry yeast, 1/4 cup warm water, 4 cups bread flour, 1/2 cup sugar, orange zest, 1/2 tsp cinnamon, 1/4 tsp ginger, 1/4 tsp nutmeg, 2 tsp kosher salt. 1 stick butter, 1/2 cup lukewarm water, 1/2 cup ricotta cheese, 4 eggs and 1/2 cup dried currants.

Put the yeast in the warm water for 5 minutes and mix together the dry ingredients. Add the butter (1 inch pieces) and mix for 4 minutes with the paddle attachment. Then add your wet stuff, (keep one egg on the side) including yeasty water and mix on low until combined, 1-2 minutes. Switch to your dough hook and mix on medium for 7-10 minutes adding the currants in the final minute. Hand knead for a minute or two and put the dough ball in a covered bowl for 1 hour so that it can rise and double in size.

tomato basil bread makes a savory treat



hot cross buns and more at Amazon cookbooks

So far so good? OK, now put the dough on a floured counter and divide into 12 pieces. Form into rolls and put them on a sheetpan with parchment paper, 6 to a pan. Cover with a floured towel for 45 minutes to let them rise some more.



This step is easy. Take that egg you set aside, put it in a bowl and mix it up to use as an egg wash. After your buns are done rising, brush each one all over. Put the pans in the oven on a middle high and middle low rack at 375 degrees for 15 minutes. Then switch the racks positions and bake for another 15 minutes for 30 minutes total bake time.



Remove the hot cross buns from the oven and let them cool for 20 minutes. Meanwhile, make your icing by adding 1 3/4 cup confectioners sugar to 1/4 cup milk warmed in a saucepan. Whisk until you have a smooth glaze. Then take a spoon or pastry bag and make a cross on top.



try custard for dessert tonight...