Hot Cross Bunnies

Easter just happens to coincide with receiving a breadmaker so here I am experimenting with an appropriate recipe! It's a nice feeling to know the bread maker will take the hassle out of sore arms, although it's understandable that some might feel that a bread maker is a waste of space. 

This recipe has been adapted from the breadmaker's manual and I think a failure on my part was to not play around with ingredients- the buns didn't have a lot to them. Other possibilities are Mocha, Peanut Butter chocolate, Chilli chocolate. You can probably tell I have a bit of a chocolate tooth.

Hot Cross Buns

Makes 12

310 ml water
1 egg (measured with water- place egg at the bottom and add water to make 310ml)
2 tablespoons oil
3/4 cup sultanas
1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
1/2 teaspoon salt
4 tablespoons brown sugar
3 1/4 cups high grade flour
3 1/4 teaspoons breadmaker yeast

For the crosses:
1/4 cup plain flour
40 ml water
1 teaspoon sugar

For the glaze:
2 tablespoons water
2 tablespoons sugar
1 teaspoon gelatine

Place the ingredients into the bread pan in the order listed.
Use 'Dough' function on machine.
Once cycle is completed, remove dough and knead on floured surface until elastic and springs back. Divide dough into 12 balls. Place close together on baking tray. Cover with a tea towel and allow to rise for 30 minutes.
To make the crosses- mix flour, water and sugar until smooth. Pipe crosses over risen dough.
Bake buns for 30m minutes in pre-heated oven at 180C until golden brown.
For the glaze, combine ingredients in a jug. Microwave for 1-2 minutes. Brush over hot buns.

Serve with your favourite topping (butter, gooseberry jam are suggestions), possibly toasted? Eveyone has their own way of enjoying Hot Cross Buns (which I feel is the best part of Easter). And now I can have them all year around... and you're more than welcome to join me for one.

HAPPY EASTER and enjoy your time with family and friends!