Easter Bliss

I have a great friend who is both amazing in the kitchen, always willing to share her recipes & cooking tips, and well I've even been known to borrow a few ingredients from her over the years. She's about to return from 5 weeks travel and what would be better than arriving home to a basket of goodies that includes some home baked goodness. My treasured collection of recipes that she has supplied me includes these fantastic Hot Cross Buns, just perfect for today! janis xx

Hot Cross Buns - A recipe from a most fabulous friend! 

1 tablespoon active dry yeast

1/2 cups castor sugar (or to your liking)

1 1/2 cups luke warm milk

4 1/4 cups plain (all purpose) flour sifted

2 teaspoons mixed spice

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

50g butter melted

1 egg

1 1/2 cups sultanas ( currents can be added to)

1/3 cup mixed peel

1/2 cup plain flour (extra)
5 tablespoons water

Place yeast, 2 teaspoons of sugar and all of the milk in a bowl and set aside for 5 mins. The mixture will start to foam indicating that the yeast is active. Add all of the other ingredients to the yeast mixture and mix with a butter knife until a sticky dough is formed. Knead on a light floured surface for 8 minutes or use kneading tool on a kitchen mixer and let it do the work. Place in an oiled bowl, cover with a tea towel and place in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubles in size. Divide the dough into 9 pieces and roll into balls. Grease a 20cm square cake tin and line with non-stick baking paper. Place dough into tin cover and let stand in a warm place for 30 mins or until they rise. Mix the extra flour and water into a past and place into a zip lock bag. Snip the corner of the bag and pipe a cross on each bun. Bake in a pre-heated 200°C oven for 35 minutes or until well browned.

And just in case  your baking is to be gifted here are some super cute tags for you to download and use......(just click on the pic to download the file).  Ness xo

Happy Easter, we hope yours is filled with fun, friends family and laughter (oh and a few chocolate eggs)