Recipe review - Hot cross buns EDC - with photos :)

[judydawn]

Those who have made these - how many buns does this recipe make please.

[Very Happy Jan]

mmm. At least 12 but I think it was more-....maybe 14-16 smallish ones-supermarket size as opposed to bakery size. Sorry JD

[achookwoman]

JD,  12 fairly big ones.   I would give them a good second rise,  up to 1/2 hour.

[Ceejay]

I divide the dough into 12. 

Yes achookwoman, I do at least half an hour... but then I never was one for doing things on time! 

[cathy79]

Any thoughts on amount of instant dry yeast? 

[judydawn]

Thanks Chookie & Ceejay, have made a note on the recipe I posted for Bron and will alter my EDC too.

[achookwoman]

cathy79,  I used 3 teaspoons full.   Next time I will try 4.   The sweetness of the dough,  and weight of fruit demands more.   I would also drop the fruit in,  in the last min of kneading.

JD,  I strongly recommend that you have a practice run, before you want them for Easter .  Also,  put the mix for the crosses into a small sandwich bag,  and cut a small hole out of the corner,  and squeeze the dough through this onto the buns.

[judydawn]

I surprised myself by making a very successful batch of these this afternoon and then ate 2 for tea  Initially the second step had me baffled - why would you use warm milk then have to cook it for 50 seconds at 90^o, there's no way it will get to 90^o in 50 seconds (it was 37).  So, carried on with the recipe thinking this isn't going to work, just how hot is this milk supposed to be?  Put the mixture outside to rise and it sure did, overflowing from the largest tupperware bowl in just over an hour.  Everything went well from there except I did what you suggested Chookie for the piping of the crosses and cut my hole too big so they were a little wide but not to worry, learn from our mistakes.  It made 16 decent sized buns and then the cooking instructions confused me, 10-15 minutes, that's quite a difference so I did 13 minutes and hoped for the best.  They were absolutely perfect and a neighbour was lucky enough to walk in just as I was painting them with the sugar syrup - guess what she went home with?  There is no comparison with a homemade bun to any other I've ever bought so have a go and your family will be very proud of you.

PS mine rose twice as much as the photo in the EDC  and I did use 2 tspns bread improver too

[achookwoman]

JD,  so now  that you can make sweet dough there will be no stopping you.   I have sent you a couple of PM ,  hope you get them,  but I don't think you need much help.

[judydawn]

Thanks Chookie, growing in confidence every day but only tried these because of the good reviews people are posting. That's why reviews are so important on this forum.

[I Love Bimby!]

Well done JD! 

Yes you are right about the reviews. Last year I made some and took into work for morning tea and they disappeared quiet quickly. Very morish!

[judydawn]

I can understand why ILB 

[bron]

Thanks JD!  :-*Love you loads!
Will be making these tomorrow.....oh I am soooooo excited ........havent had hot cross buns for over 20 years! WILL DEFINATELY be putting back on some of those lost kilos!

Will post you photos, to show off!  my new camera!

[Thermomixer]

LOL - can just imagine the locusts wiping them out.  no wonder the shops start selling them in January - they are popular.

[Ceejay]

Woot!!  Go JD!
Now if we could just teach you to upload pics.... 

Can't wait to see Bron's efforts too!