Archive for the ‘Easter’ Category
Hot Cross Buns
I love my bread machine and use it almost exclusively to make yeast breads; but there are two exceptions to that rule — Christmas (Stollen) and Easter (Hot Cross Buns). Easter is late this year, but for some reason it still seemed to sneak up on me. Knowing Jen and family would be out of town until Sunday afternoon, I decided Thursday night (LATE!) if I was going to make any of these balls of deliciousness I’d better do it and take them in to work to share on Friday (so I didn’t sit at home and eat the whole batch all by myself!). I think they were a hit — only a couple left and I sent those home with co-workers (since I knew I still had some left at home!).
Hot Cross Buns
Ingredients:
1 pkg. yeast
¼ cup warm water
¾ cup milk
½ cup butter or margarine
1/3 cup sugar (granulated)
½ cup raisins
½ tsp. salt
4-5 cups all purpose flour
1 tsp. cinnamon
½ tsp. allspice
1 egg
Directions:
Soften the yeast in the ¼ cup of warm water.
Heat milk on stove or in microwave until scalded (bubbling at edges) – took about 4 minutes in my microwave. Pour milk over butter (cut into small pieces for quicker melting) in large mixing bowl. Add sugar and salt. Cool to lukewarm. Wasn’t thinking and had the dough hook on here — actually need the regular “paddle” for the next couple of steps!
Stir in yeast mix. Add cinnamon, allspice and 3 cups of the flour. Add raisins. Mix on medium speed until combined.
Switch to dough hook (yippee for my Kitchen Aid!) or place dough on floured surface, adding additional flour until you have a nice smooth and elastic dough.
Place in a glass bowl, cover loosely with a towel, and let rise for about an hour (I turn my oven on low and set the bowl on top of the stove).
Punch down, divide (a fancy recipe term to say “pull pieces off about the size you want”) and roll into 24 buns. Brush with egg white and cut crosses (I often skip this step – like them just as well soft, without the egg white “crust”). Let rise again. Oops! Forgot to “cut” in the crosses (I did mention that it was LATE Thursday night!).
Bake at 400° for about 12 minutes, until lightly golden on top. Frost crosses.
Frosting:
1 ¼ cup powdered sugar
1 tsp. vanilla (use clear flavoring if you want the frosting to stay pure white)
Enough water to make it “drizzling” consistency
Enjoy! And have a Happy Easter!
Tags: Baking, Debbie, Easter, Hot Cross Buns
Quick Easter Project for the Family
This little bunny candy dish makes a sweet last minute (and inexpensive, too!) Easter gift! Here is how to make one for yourself or a gift!
What you need:
- one terra cotta pot
- one terra cotta dish that is much larger than the top of the pot (pot will sit in dish)
- white and pink felt pieces
- a straw hat that fits over the bottom of your terra cotta pot
- spray paint/paint of your choice (make sure it is non-toxic or be sure to only put wrapped candy in your dish)
- candy of your choice
What to do:
- Paint the pot. Remember that it is going to e a bunny when it is finished!
- Paint the dish.
- When the pot is dry, paint a bunny face on it.
- Seal the paint.
- Decorate the little hat with bunny ears using the pink and white felt. Attach with a glue gun.
- Fill with candy of your choice and have a Happy Easter!
