Basic Hot Cross Buns Recipe

Hot cross buns, or boun, have a long history as sweet breads made for offerings to ancient deities. As religions evolved and changed, Christians adopted hot cross buns as a special bread to be made and eaten every year on Good Friday.

This basic hot cross bun recipe makes a sweet dough that can be divided into 9 large rolls or 12 smaller rolls. Each roll is topped with a deliciously sweet icing, making it a special treat for everyone who has a sweet tooth, or several sweet teeth.

Prep Time: 2 hours

Cook Time: 45 minutes

Ingredients:

• 1 – 12 fl. oz. can evaporated milk
• 1/2 cup butter, melted
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1-1/2 tbsp yeast
• 1 egg, beaten
• 1 tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp nutmeg
• 5 cups all-purpose flour, approx.

Preparation:

1. In large bowl, stir in evaporated milk and melted butter. Add sugar, salt, and yeast. Stir until sugar is dissolved.
   
   
2. Mix in beaten egg, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Slowly mix in flour, one cup at a time until a soft dough is formed.
   
   
3. Knead dough for about 5 minutes. Put dough in greased bowl and turn dough over so that the top is greased. Cover and let rise in warm place for 1 hour.
   
   
4. Turn out dough and knead out air bubbles.
   
   
5. Divide dough into 9 large rolls or 12 small rolls. Shape into rolls and place on greased baking or cookie sheet. Cover and let rise for 30-45 minutes or until double in size.
   
   
6. Slash X on each bun top (optional). Bake at 350 degrees F for about 45 minutes or until done. Remove from oven and allow to cool to warm.

Icing

• 3/4 cup confectioners sugar
  
• 1 tbsp milk
  
• 1 tbsp melted butter
  
• 1/3 tsp almond extract

Mix icing ingredients into small bowl. Spread onto buns as desired.

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