Hot Cross Buns/Eggless Hot Cross Buns

Made these hot cross buns for Maundy Thursday that's today . Hot Cross Buns  are basically sweet spiced buns with raisins and currants and marked with a cross on top. Traditionally eaten in the rest of the world  on Good Friday .But here in India , especially in Mumbai we have it today .
 Maundy /Holy Thursday a day of the Eucharist when Our Lord Jesus had last supper with his 12 apostles .Since we do not eat egg or meat till Easter I made these eggless hot cross buns .They were soft and delish I just tasted one after it was baked  the rest we will share and have today after Mass.So I thought of sharing it with you all before I go to Church.

Ingredients

2 cups Flour

1/4 cup milk

1  tbsp butter

1/4 cup lukewarm water

1 tsp yeast

1/2 tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon powder

1/2 tsp clove powder

1/4 tsp nutmeg powder

2 tbsp caster sugar

1/4 cup raisins

1/4 cup currants
1tbsp tutti frutti(optional)

For the cross

2 tbsp flour

2 tbsp water

Method:

• In a sauce pan add milk and butter and place over low heat till the butter is melted and the milk is slightly warm,keep it aside.
• Sift flour and salt and keep aside.
• Mix 1/2 tsp sugar and yeast in lukewarm water and let it froth.
• Mix the yeast mixture to the sifted flour and knead till you have a rough dough.
• Now add spice powders and  milk to this and knead till you get smooth soft dough.
• Cover the bowl with a cling foil and allow it to rise.
• It may take an hour or two.
• Once the dough has doubled transfer the dough on your working table and dust some flour.
• Knock out the air by punching the dough with your fist.

• Sprinkle the raisins and currants and( tutti frutti if using )knead well for 4-5 min 

• Divide the dough into equal balls ans place it on a lined baking tray .
• Cover with a damp towel and let it proof for 30 -45 min or until double in size.
• Meanwhile make a past of flour and water and fill this in a piping /ziplock bag
• Make cross over each bun using this paste.
• Preheat the oven for 10 min at 190 degree Celsius.
• Bake these buns for 18-20 min or till golden brown
• Transfer to wire rack and allow it to cool completely.

Note

If you want to apply glaze ,make glaze by placing water and sugar in a sauce pan and stir till sugar dissolves.

Bring it to boil  for 3-4 min and brush this glaze on the buns while they are still warm.

Serve these warm or at room temperature.

I have made a icing glaze since i found the cross too pale.I just mixed 1 tbsp milk to 1 cup of icing sugar and filled it in piping bag and piped cross on the buns while they were still warm.