Hot Cross Buns

The tradition in our house is to work in the garden on Good Friday morning leaving these buns to rise. Then at 3pm we out the crosses on and bake in the oven ready for teatime. Here's the recipe:-

1lb plain flour

1/2 tsp mixed spice

scant 1/2 pint rice milk

2 tsp dried yeast

4 tsps sugar

2oz sugar

2-4oz vegan margarine

6oz currants or sultanas

(some people add eggs and candied peel so those are optional here 1oz candies peel, 2 beaten eggs)

First start the yeast in some warm water to which you have added the 4 tsps sugar, this will help it grow faster. Whilst you are waiting for the yeast mix the dry ingredients together. Then mix in all the wet ingredients including the yeast mixture once you have seen that it is bubbling away. Knead the door for a few minutes and then out in a warm place, covered, to wait for it to rise. Knock it down and shape in to 12 buns which can be allowed to rise again. Make some crosses for your buns by mixing a few tablespoons of flour with water until you have a stiff paste, spoon the paste into an icing set or a plastic bag where you have snipped off the corner and pipe the crosses on top. This method works better for us as it helps the crosses stick without using egg to glaze.

Place buns in a hot oven 200C for 15-20 minutes and put a tray of water in the bottom to create a steamy atmosphere for the buns to bake in.

Enjoy ! What are your Good Friday traditions ?