Hot Cross Buns In A Bread Machine

Hey there, baker wannabe! Ever found yourself craving those sweet, spiced Hot Cross Buns, but didn't fancy the hassle of kneading dough? Well, grab your apron, 'cause we're about to make your life a whole lot easier with a bread machine!

First things first: What's a Hot Cross Bun?

In case you've been living under a rock (or just not paying attention to your grandma's baking), Hot Cross Buns are those delicious, spiced buns with a cross on top. They're traditionally eaten on Good Friday, but let's be real, they're too good to limit to just one day, right?

Now, let's get down to business. Here's what you'll need:

• 1 cup of warm milk
• 1/3 cup of warm water
• 2 eggs
• 1/3 cup of butter, melted
• 4 1/2 cups of bread flour
• 1 tsp of salt
• 1/2 cup of sugar
• 2 1/4 tsp of active dry yeast
• 1 tsp of ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp of ground nutmeg
• 1/2 cup of raisins (or currants, if you're feeling fancy)
• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
• Icing sugar and water (for the cross)

Now, let's get baking!

Grab your bread machine and pop in the milk, water, eggs, and melted butter. In a separate bowl, mix together the flour, salt, sugar, yeast, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Add this dry mixture to your bread machine, followed by the raisins. Set your machine to the 'Dough' cycle and let it do its thing.

Best Hot Cross Buns Recipe - Bread Machine Dough Recipe - How To Make A

While the dough is mixing, you can prep your baking sheet. Once the cycle is done, turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Divide it into 12 equal pieces and shape them into balls. Place these on your baking sheet, leaving some space between each bun. Cover them with a clean cloth and let them rise for about an hour, or until they've doubled in size.

Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Brush the risen buns with the beaten egg and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown. While they're baking, mix some icing sugar with a bit of water to make a thick paste. Once the buns are out of the oven, pipe this onto them in the shape of a cross.

Hot Cross Buns Recipe for the Bread Machine

And there you have it!

Hot Cross Buns, with minimal effort and maximum taste. You're welcome! Now, go forth and impress your friends and family with your newfound baking skills. Happy Easter!

Remember, baking is like life - it might not always turn out perfectly, but it's the journey and the learning that makes it worthwhile. So, don't be afraid to get your hands dirty and have some fun in the kitchen!