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Hot Cross Buns

Ingredients
  

  • 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
  • 3/4 cup warm milk
  • 1/4 cup granulated white sugar
  • 3 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 tsp cinnamon
  • 1/2 tsp ground all spice
  • 1/4 tsp ground cloves
  • 1/4 tsp ground nutmeg
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 eggs
  • 1/2 cup currants
  • 1/4 cup candied citrus peel
  • 2 tsp grated orange zest

Flour Cross

  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 6 tbsp water

Orange Icing

  • 1 cup Icing sugar
  • 3 tbsp orange juice 

Instructions
 

  • In a bowl, stir together 1/4 cup of the warmed milk and one teaspoon of sugar.
  • Sprinkle the yeast over the milk and let sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
  • In the bowl of an electric mixer, whisk together 3 cups of the flour, granulated sugar, salt, cinnamon, all spice, cloves, nutmeg.
  • Create a well in the flour and add the foamy yeast, softened butter, eggs, and remaining milk.
  • Using the paddle attachment, mix the ingredients until well incorporated. The mixture should be quite sticky.
  • Add in the currants, candied peel, and orange zest.
  • Switch to the dough hook attachment and start to knead on low speed.
  • Slowly sprinkle in additional flour, a tablespoon at a time, kneading to incorporate after each addition, until the flour is still slightly tacky, but is no longer completely sticking to your fingers when you work with it.
  • Total kneading time should be about 7 minutes.
  • Form a ball of dough in the bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let sit, covered, at room temperature (or in a warm spot) for 2 hours, until the dough has doubled in size.
  • Punch dough down to release the air. Portion dough into 16 equal pieces.
  • Take the individual pieces and form them into mounds, placing them 1 1/2 inches apart from each other on a greased baking sheet, cover with plastic wrap.
  • Let the dough mounds sit at room temperature (or warm place) to rise again, until the mounds have doubled in volume, about 30-40 minutes.
  • Preheat oven to 400°F
  • Add the cross: Whisk the cross ingredients together, starting with 6 Tablespoons of water. You want a thick paste that will pipe easily. Add remaining water if needed.
  • Spoon paste into a zipped-top bag. Snip off a small piece at the corner. Pipe a line down the center of each row of buns, then repeat in the other direction to create crosses.
  • Place in the middle rack of the 400°F oven and cook for 10-12 minutes, until the buns are lightly browned.
  • Remove from oven and let cool on the pan for a few minutes, then transfer the buns to a wire rack to cool.
  • Whisk the icing ingredients together, then drizzle or brush on warm rolls.