Hot Crossed buns

As a child I learned the nursery rhyme "Hot Cross Buns." I always wondered: What is a hot cross bun? How come sons only get them if there aren't any daughters? And why are they priced one 'ah penny, and two 'ah penny? Who would just buy one when you can have two?!

Hot cross buns are spiced, slightly sweet yeast rolls studded with currants and sometimes candied citron. What makes Hot crossed buns Hot Crossed Buns is the cross on the top of the bun made with frosting, white pastry dough, or cuts in the dough. The dessert acts as a reminder of the crucifixion and is a traditional treat on Good Friday on the Christian calendar. Its origins date back to the Saxons who marked buns with a cross to honor the goddess Eostre, the goddess of light, whose name eventually morphed to Easter.

Here is how to make a special Easter treat.

Hot Crossed Buns Recipe
(The easy way)
• 1 (1/4 ounce) package active dry yeast (1 Tbs.)
• 2/3 cup warm water (105 to 115 F)
• 1 egg
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 2 3/4 cups Bisquick baking mix
• 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
• 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1/2 cup currant
• 1/4 cup chopped citron
• quick icing (recipe below)

QUICK ICING
• 1/2 cup confectioners' sugar
• 1-2 teaspoon water

Directions

1. Dissolve yeast in warm water in large mixer bowl. Add egg, sugar and 1 12 cups of the baking mix.

2. Blend 1/2 minute on low speed, scraping bowl constantly. Beat 2 minutes medium speed, scraping bowl occasionally.

3. Stir in remaining baking mix, the cinnamon, nutmeg, currants and citron; beat vigorously 1/2 minute.

4. Spoon dough into 12 greased medium muffin cups. Cover and let rise in warm place until double, about 1 hour.

5. Heat oven to 375°F Bake 15 to 20 minutes. Make a cross on each bun with Quick icing. 12 buns.

6. Quick Icing, blend 1/2 cup confectioners’ sugar ad 1 to 2 teaspoon water.

Or you can always do it the cheater’s way (and by far my favorite and what I deem as the tastiest way)!

Make cinnamon or orange rolls and frost them with a big’ol X.

ENJOY!