HOT CROSS BUNS

Ingredients

4 cups flour

½ tsp cinnamon

½ tsp ground nutmeg or mixed spice

¾ tsp salt

¼ cup warm milk

1 pack yeast

1 cup milk

¼ cup sugar

2 oz butter

1 cup raisins (or a combo of raisins and colored mixed peel)

Few drops yellow food coloring

GLAZE:

1 egg, lightly beaten

1 – 2 tbsp water

FROSTING:

1 cup icing sugar

½ tsp vanilla essence

Few tbsps. water

Directions

1. Combine the yeast and ¼ cup milk in a bowl. Leave for a few minutes until the yeast has bubbled to the surface.
2. Meanwhile heat the remaining milk in a pot with the butter over a medium low heat just until the butter is melted. Remove from heat. Add a few drops of yellow food coloring and stir.
3. Sift the flour, salt, spices together in a large mixing bowl. Mix in the sugar.
4. Add the yeast mixture to the flour and mix. Using the dough hook attachment on the mixer begin to mix the dough. Add the warm butter and milk mixture and let mix until the dough begins to form. Add the raisins and mixed peel at the end to allow to gently mix into the dough.
5. Remove the dough from the bowl and knead on a floured surface just until smooth. Place in a lightly greased bowl. Cover and leave to rise.
6. When the dough has doubled in volume, punch down and shape into even balls, placing them on lightly greased baking sheets. Cover and let rise again, approximately half hour.
7. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F. Brush the buns with egg wash. Bake in preheated oven for approximately 25 – 30 minutes or until the buns are golden brown. Remove and let cool.
8. Mix together the icing sugar , vanilla essence and just enough drops of water to form a smooth icing. Pipe the crosses on the buns and serve.