Easter Treats
Holiday Treats
A nice part about Holidays is that there are special foods and holiday treats that are only eaten at that time of the year. That is not to say of course that you can’t make these holiday treats whenever you like!
Not one to celebrate Easter myself, I do enjoy the traditional edibles that go with it, like chocolate coated marshmallow Easter eggs and hot cross buns. All the spoils without too much toil.
I thought I’d offer up a couple of recipes for you to make for your families and /or to treat yourself to, over the easter break. Here’s the first one…
EASTER HOT CROSS BUNS
2 cups flour
2 tsp mixed spice
1/2 cup currants
1/2 cup sultanas or raisins
2 eggs
60g sugar
2 tsp dried yeast
1/2 cup warm milk no warmer than body temperature 37
50g softened butter
1/2 tsp salt
For the crosses.
½ cup flour
1 Tblsp icing sugar
Milk to form a loose paste ¼ cup +-
In a large bowl, add flour, mixed spice, sugar, currants and raisins/sultanas.
Rub through the softened butter. Make a well in the centre of the flour, fruit and sugar and break in the 2 eggs.
Sprinkle the yeast over the warm milk and let it dissolve for 5 or so minutes, stir.
Pour the milk and yeast mixture into the flour and with a wooden spoon, mix and then knead until you form a nice smooth dough.
Cover the dough with cling wrap or a clean tea towel and put somewhere warm and draught free until the dough doubles in size.
On a lightly floured bench, tip the dough out and gently knead until smooth and elastic.
Separate the dough into even sized 30g balls roll and knead into little bun shapes and place on a baking paper lined tray. The buns can sit touching one another.
Cover with a clean tea towel and let rise in a warm, draught free place until doubled in volume.
When the buns have risen (30 minutes or so) take a piping bag and add in the flour, milk, and sugar paste mixture. Make a steady stream down the centre of the buns then another at 90 degrees to form a +.
Bake in the oven at 180o C until golden brown (20-30 minutes). When the buns come out of the oven, brush with sugar syrup mixture, 1/4 cup sugar to 1 tblsp of water, ensure the sugar is dissolved. It may need boiling water or to go in the microwave to assist in dissolving the sugar.