Hot Cross Buns

Makes 9 very large buns.

Recipe can also be made in a 9x13 pan, separating the dough into 12 smaller buns instead of 9 large ones.

Ingredients:

1 tablespoon yeast

2 tablespoons honey

1/4 cup warm water

1 cup whole milk

4 tablespoons butter

2 eggs

1 teaspoon salt

zest of one orange

1 1/2 teaspoons cinnamon

1/2 teaspoon nutmeg

4-4 1/2 cups bread flour

Piping paste:

7 tablespoons flour

1/4 cup warm water

1 teaspoon sugar

Glaze:

1 tablespoon apricot or peach jam

1 teaspoon warm water

Method:

Heat the milk and butter until the butter is melted. Let it cool until it is just warm, so it won't kill the yeast. Add yeast, honey and warm water to the bowl of a mixer. Add eggs, orange zest, salt and spices. Add flour and begin to mix with a dough hook while you drizzle in the warm milk and butter. Let the dough mix for one minute, then check to see if it is sticky and needs more flour. The dough should be tacky but should not stick to your finger when you poke it. Add 1/4 cup more if needed. Knead on medium low speed for 8 minutes. Form the dough into a neat ball and let it double in size in an oiled bowl covered with plastic wrap.

Remove the dough and separate it into 9 or 12 equal portions. Roll each into a ball, pinching the seam shut at the bottom. Place them in your baking dish, leaving about an inch between them. Cover with plastic and let them rise until puffy. They are ready when you poke the side gently and it takes a few seconds for the indent to come back out.

Make the piping paste by mixing the flour, water and sugar until smooth in a small bowl. Add the mixture to a piping bag or a ziplock bag. Cut the corner a little bit to make a hole. Start small. You can always make the hole larger if needed.

Once they have risen, pipe the paste into crosses across the top of the buns. Make sure to go down about half way on the sides.

Bake the buns in a 350 degree oven for 20-25 minutes, until they are golden brown. While they are still warm brush the tops with the jam and water mixture.

Serve with orange honey butter! Make this by combining equal parts honey, softened butter and the zest of an orange.