Hot Cross Buns

The English hot loaf is a dessert whose preparation is associated with Easter. It was the only one that could be eaten during the Easter fast. It is characterised by a large cross made of sugar or icing sugar which is placed on each loaf.

Ingredients:

3 cups of flour 1 cup milk 1/2 cup sugar

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1/2 cup butter or fat for baking 1/4 cup lukewarm water 1/4 cup raisins 2 tablespoons grated lemon zest 1 tablespoon crushed mixture of cloves, cinnamon and allspice 1 piece fresh yeast cubes 1 piece

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Procedure:

1. Pour the lukewarm water into a smaller container, add the crumbled fresh yeast and let the starter rise
2. Heat the milk in a saucepan with the sugar and butter (fat), when everything is combined, let the mixture cool
3. Work out the dough and leave it to rise in a warm place covered with a damp cloth until doubled in volume, which takes about 1 hour
5. On a floured rolling pin, shape the dough into individual loaves the size of our doughnuts, place them on a greased baking tray (or lined with baking paper), use a knife (you can use another tool) to make a cross on the top of each loaf and leave to rise for about half an hour
6. Finally, brush the surface of the loaves with milk and bake at 190 °C for about 15-20 minutes until golden brown
7. Decorate the baked and slightly cooled loaves with icing sugar, which is sprinkled into the risen indentations (you can also use icing sugar to decorate the crosses) and then serve the cake immediately, still warm.

Note:

1 cup is 0.25 l