I am a convert to using my breadmaker for making bread. Not for baking bread, but for making the dough! It honestly takes all of the hard work out of breadmaking as far as I am concerned. This recipe just needs all of the ingredients adding to the machine, setting it to dough, then taking it out and shaping, leaving it to rise a further 45 odd mins and then in the oven. Before you know it you have gorgeous yeasty spicy buns, they are honestly that easy!
Here is the recipe I use……
Hot Cross Buns (for the breadmaker)
4 c high grade flour
1/2c sugar
1 tsp salt
4 tsp yeast
1 c milk
2 eggs
125g soft butter
2 tsp grated lemon peel
1 tsp cinnamon
1 tsp mixed spice
3/4 c raisins
Put all ingredients except raisins in breadmaker pan in order suggested by your bread machine instructions.
Set for white bread dough and press start. Add the raisins after the first kneading or when the machine signals it’s time to add fruit. When dough is ready, remove and punch down. Cut into 16 pieces and shape into rolls.
Place on a baking paper lined tray then cover loosely and set in a warm place to rise until doubled, 45 mins to an hour.
Bake in oven at 190C for 12 – 15 minutes.
Brush with sugar syrup glaze (I make sugar syrup by dissolving 2/3c sugar with 1/3c water over heat) as soon as they come out of the oven and when cooled pipe crosses on with basic icing (icing sugar, knob of butter and hot water)
For more about this recipe and more pictures visit: http://wwwthinkingaboutfood.blogspot.com/2008/03/hot-cross-buns.html
