Mmmmmm!

The hot cross buns turned out great! We ate sooooo many of them.....Here is the recipe.

Not my photo, was too focused on eating to actually take a picture!

Hot Cross Buns

1/2 c. sugar
1/4 c. warm water
1 Tbsp. yeast
3 1/2 c. all purpose flour
2 tsp. cinnamon
1 tsp. nutmeg
1/4 tsp. cloves
3/4 c. warm milk
1/4 c. melted butter
1 egg + 1 egg yolk
1/4 c. dried currants
1/4 c. dried cranberries
1/4 c. candied mixed peel
GLAZE:
2 Tbsp. each sugar and water
ICING:
1/2 c. icing sugar
1 tsp. water

In a small bowl dissolve 1Tbsp. of the sugar in the warm water. Sprinkle the yeast over the top and let it sit until frothy, about 10 min.
In large bowl mix the dry ingredients. Make a well in the center and pour in liquid ingredients and yeast mixture. Stir until a soft dough forms. The dough was quite sticky so I just kneaded in a bit more flour as I went.
Knead for about 8 min. or until dough is very smooth and elastic. Place in greased bowl and let rise for about an hour, until dough has doubled in bulk.
Punch dough down and knead in fruit and mixed peel. Cut dough into 12 pieces. Shape each into a ball, making tops as smooth as possible. Place in greased 9 x 13 pan, cover and let rise until doubled in size, about a half hour. Bake at 400 F for 15 min. The buns will be golden brown.
GLAZE: Combine sugar and water and cook over medium heat until sugar has dissolved. Brush over the cooked buns and let them cool in the pan.
ICING: Combine icing ingredients. I just used a teaspoon to pour the icing over the buns in the traditional cross shape.
Yummy!
* In place of the candied peel you could use the zest from an orange and the zest from a lemon. I just happened to have some peel left over from Xmas baking. *