Hot Cross Buns

I love Hot Cross Buns.  I love all the dried fruit and the cinnamon.  MMMM.  Just so yummy.

So here they are.  Compliments of the best bread baker I know.  My husband!

1/2 cup of warm water
1 teaspoon sugar
1 tablespoon of dry yeast
1 cup milk
1/4 cup margarine or butter
1/3 cup sugar
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs, beaten
5 to 5 1/2 cups flour
2 teaspoons cinnamon
3/4 cup raisins or a combination of raisins and mixed dried peel
1 egg yolk with 2 tablespoons of cold water
confectioners' sugar frosting

In large warmed bowl, dissolve the sugar in the warm water and sprinkle with yeast.  Let stand 10 minutes and then stir well.  Meanwhile combine the milk, butter, sugar and salt in a pan and heat over low heat until the butter is melted.  Cool to lukewarm and add liquid mixture to dissolved yeast.  Add cinnamon, beaten eggs and 1 1/2 cups of flour.  Mix vigorously.  Gradually add enough flour to make a soft dough. Turn onto a floured board and knead about 8 to 10 minutes.  Place in a greased bowl, turning to grease  the top.  Let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.

Punch dough down and turn onto a floured board.  Knead in raisins.  Divide dough into 18 or so pieces and form buns.  Place on a well greased pan. Combine egg yolk and water and brush the buns.  Let rise until doubled again about an hour.

Carefully cut a cross on the top of each bun with a sharp knife.  Bake at 375 degrees F until done about 20-25 minutes.  Remove from pans.  Cool and frost while warm.  Enjoy.  Great toasted.  Yum.

Edited to say:  Husband then informed me that he substituted some ingredients.  Because I am on a no fun food diet, he replaced the 1/3 cup of sugar with home made applesauce.  He used lemon juice in the confectioners' sugar for the frosting.  They are to die for.  Just saying.  


Linking up with Debbie at the Quilter's Table!