Mom's Easter Hot Cross Buns

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== Description ==
Contributed by CM at World Recipes Y-Group
* Makes 18 buns
== Ingredients ==
=== Dough ===
* 5 cups all purpose flour, divided
* 2 pkg active dry yeast
* ½ cup sugar
* 1 teaspoon salt
* 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
* ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
* ¼ teaspoon cloves
* ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
* 1¼ cups milk
* ½ cup butter
* 2 eggs, beaten
* ¾ cup currants or raisins
* ⅓ cup candied orange peel
* 1 egg yolk mixed with 2 tablespoons water
=== Cream Cheese Frosting ===
* 3 oz cream cheese, softened
* 1 cup confectioner's sugar
* 1 tsp milk
== Directions ==
# Combine 2 cups of flour, yeast, sugar, salt and spices in a large mixing bowl.
# In a separate bowl, heat milk and butter to very warm (125 °F).
# Add to flour.
# Beat on medium speed of mixer for 1 minute.
# Add eggs.
# Beat another minute.
# Stir in currants, orange peel and enough remaining flour to make dough easy to handle.
# Turn dough out onto lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes, adding additional flour as needed.
# Try not to add too much flour; dough can be slightly sticky to the touch. (put oil on your hands to prevent sticking if necessary) 
# Place in a buttered bowl, turning to butter top.
# Cover; let rise in warm place until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.
# Punch down dough; turn onto lightly floured surface.
# Divide dough in half; divide each half into 9 pieces.
# Form each piece into a smooth round ball.
# Place balls of dough in two buttered 8-inch square baking pans.
# Cover and let rise in warm place until doubled in bulk, about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
# Brush lightly with egg yolk mixture.
# Bake rolls in preheated 375 °F degree oven, 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden brown.
# Remove from pans.
# Cool on a wire rack.
# Drizzle frosting (see below) across the top of each bun in the shape of a cross.
=== Cream Cheese Frosting ===
# Beat cream cheese and sugar in a bowl until smooth.
# Add up to 1 teaspoon of milk or just enough so that the frosting is a good consistency for drizzling.
# (if it becomes too watery, add more sugar).
Category:Easter Breads
Category:World Recipes
Category:Bread Recipes
Category:Yeast Recipes
Category:Currant Recipes
Category:Flour Recipes
Category:Cinnamon Recipes
Category:Cardamom Recipes
Category:Clove Recipes
Category:Nutmeg Recipes
Category:Candied orange peel Recipes
Category:Cream cheese Recipes