Hot Cross Buns

I know it's Garden Tuesday, but my yard is just brown and white.  That's no change from last week, or last month, and there are more important issues to consider today.  For example:

It's time once again to think about Easter baking.  One of the things we expect around here (and by "we", I mean everyone else) is Hot Cross Buns.  Many.  Three or four batches.

So you can get all of the ingredients, and be well prepared to make this Easter delight, here is my favorite recipe:

HOT CROSS BUNS

1 cup warm milk (around 100F)
2-1/2 tsp yeast
4 cups all purpose flour
1/4 cup melted butter
5 tbsp sugar
3/4 tsp salt
1-1/2 tsp cinnamon
2 eggs
1 cup raisins

Put the milk in the bread machine mixing container, or in a mixing bowl, and sprinkle the yeast over it. Add the other ingredients in the order given, reserving the raisins until after all of the ingredients are well combined, and the dough is forming a nice, stiff ball. Turn the bread machine on to mix only for 15 minutes, or mix in the Kitchenaid stand mixer (stirring the ingredients together by hand will be hard, since this is stiff dough). 5 minutes before the mixing is done, pour in the raisins. Let the dough stand for 5 to 10 minutes, then divide into 16 pieces. Form each one into a ball, and let rise until nearly doubled in size. Brush with 1 egg yolk mixed with 2 tbsp water, and let the dough rise a few minutes longer. Bake at 400F for 22 to 25 minutes, until the desired degree of brown is reached. For the frosting crosses, stir together 2 cups confectioners sugar with 1 tsp vanilla extract and enough cream to make it drizzling consistency. Drizzle the frosting in a cross pattern over each Hot Cross Bun.

If I do my job correctly, each of my adult kids will be able to take a few of these back to his or her residence.  Some of them might even survive the drive!

Happy Tuesday, everyone!