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Breadmaker Hot Cross Buns

Linda — Thu, 09 Apr 2009 08:35:26 +0000

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

Quick and Easy

Linda — Tue, 07 Apr 2009 05:25:27 +0000

Now that the nights are closing in this is a great comforting dessert to whip up in a hurry. In fact my 12 year old easily throws it together, so give it a go, you won’t be disappointed!

Quick Steamed Microwave Puddings (Jamie Oliver- Ministry of Food)

175g plain flour
50g brown sugar
75 g butter melted
1 level tsp baking soda
2 tsp ground ginger
2 large eggs
juice and finely grated zest of an orange (it’s ok to leave this out!)
150ml milk
11 tbsp golden syrup
butter for greasing

Grease the inside of 6 little microwaveable dishes or teacups with butter until well coated. Tip all the ingredients into a large bowl (except the golden syrup) and mix well. Add in 1 tbsp of golden syrup and mix until well combined. Spoon 1 tbsp of golden syrup into the bottom of each cup/ramekin, then divide the pudding mix between them.
Tear or cut 6 circles of greaseproof/baking paper a little larger than your dishes. Grease them with a little butter and then butter side down, pop them on top, pressing down gently onto the pudding mix. Place all dishes in the microwave and cook on medium heat for 7 1/2 minutes. Leave the puddings to stand for a further 5 minutes before carefully removing the paper.
To serve:
Warm 4 tbsp golden syrup in a microwavable jug for a few seconds. Turn the puddings onto serving plates and drizzle over the warm golden syrup. Accompany with creme fraiche, custard or icecream!

To view more about this recipe and more photos visit:
http://wwwthinkingaboutfood.blogspot.com/2009/04/sugar-fiend.html