One a penny, two a penny!

• 
  Hot-cross buns!
  Hot-cross buns!
  One a penny, two a penny,
  Hot-cross buns!
  If you have no daughters,
  Give them to your sons;
  One a penny, two a penny,
  Hot-cross buns!
  
  
  
  INGREDIENTS:
  4 cups plain flour2 X 7 g sachets dried yeast1/4 cups caster sugar1 1/2 teas mixed spicepinch of salt40 g butter300 mls milk2 eggs, lightly beaten.
  FLOUR PASTE:1/2 cup plain flour4 to 5 tabs water
  GLAZE:1/3 cup water2 tabs caster sugar
  
  FMETHOD

METHOD:
Combine flour, yeast, sugar, mixed spice, salt and currants in a large bowl. Melt butter in a small saucepan over medium heat. Add milk. Heat for 1 minute, or until lukewarm. Add warm milk mixture and eggs to currant mixture. Use a flat-bladed knife to mix until dough almost comes together. Use clean hands to finish mixing to form a soft dough.
Turn dough out onto a floured surface. Knead for 10 minutes, or until dough is smooth. Place into a lightly oiled bowl. Cover with plastic wrap. Set aside in a warm, draught-free place for 1 to 1 1/2 hours, or until dough doubles in size.
Line a large baking tray with non-stick baking paper. Punch dough down to its original size. Knead on a lightly floured surface until smooth. Divide into 12 even portions. Shape each portion into a ball. Place balls onto lined tray, about 1cm apart. Cover with plastic wrap. Set aside in a warm, draught-free place for 30 minutes, or until buns double in size. Preheat oven to 190°C.
Make flour paste: Mix flour and water together in a small bowl until smooth, adding a little more water if paste is too thick. Spoon into a small snap-lock bag. Snip off 1 corner of bag. Pipe flour paste over tops of buns to form crosses. Bake for 20 to 25 minutes, or until buns are cooked through.
Make glaze: Place water and sugar into a small saucepan over low heat. Stir until sugar dissolves. Bring to the boil. Boil for 5 minutes. Brush warm glaze over warm hot cross buns. Serve warm or at room temperature.


A cardiologist we know recommends chocolate daily for heart health. We forgot to ask to recommended amounts. So dig in.
Happy Easter to one and all.