Organic Hot Cross Buns

W
e made a batch of Hot Cross Buns for our bible study tonight and they were a pretty big hit.  Have you ever had some?

Hot Cross Buns have been a tradition since about the 12th century when it is said that an Anglican monk put the sign of the cross on a bun to honor and remember Christ.

These are traditionally made on Lent and on Good Friday when we hold dear the work of Christ on the cross  There is much folklore about them.  It is said  that the buns made on Good Friday will not spoil the entire year and sailors would travel with them to keep them safe on their voyages.  A bun shared is said to ensure lifelong friendship and one hanging in the kitchen would keep away evil.

Well, we are not sure about the folklore but we are sure they are good.  You can slice them and eat them toasted with butter and will delight you while you read your bible and remember the one that overcame evil.  These are nice rolls, slightly sweet and really tasty.  We sure hope you like one.  They went over well for our bible study.

                                  Hot Cross Buns

Buns

1 cup organic milk                                                                

1 free-range organic egg

4 cups organic flour                                        

1 1/2 tsp apple pie spice

1/2 tsp cinnamon

1/2 tsp Celtic Sea Salt       

1/4 cup raw sugar or coconut sugar

1/4 cup grass fed butter

1 1/2 tsp yeast

1/2 cup raisins or currents

Cross:

2 cups organic powdered sugar
2 Tbsp Lemon Juice
1 Tbsp Organic Milk

Directions:

I use my bread machine to make the dough for me.  I warm my milk a  little (making sure not to get it too hot) and pour it in my bread maker pan and add the egg.  I then pour in my flour making sure it covers all of the milk. In one corner I put salt, the other I put my spices, the next I put my butter, the last I put my sugar and in the center I make a little well to put my yeast.  I then put the breadmaker on the dough setting and start cleaning my mess while it goes.  When the machine beeps I add my dried fruit.  

When it has finished I remove from the machine and place it on a floured cutting board or counter top and punch it down a little.  I divide the recipe into 12 pieces of about equal size and shape them into a round.  Using a nice sharp scissor or knife cut the shape of a cross in them and then I put them on my baking sheet on parchment paper (don't like to cook directly on the baking sheets) to rise covered with an old lightweight apron or flour sack towel.  Leave for 45 min. and they will about double in size.  

Preheat your oven to 400 degrees F. or 200 C. 

Bake them for 15 -18 minutes depending on your oven.  They should be pretty and golden brown.

Then begin the mix for the crosses. 

For the Crosses

In a bowl mix the lemon juice, milk and powdered sugar. When smooth place in a piping bag or spoon the glaze in a cross shape over the buns.