HOT CROSS BUNS - NO KNEAD RECIPE

Easter is almost here and I wanted to post a recipe for all my christian friends celebrating Easter. This recipe is my 'go to' recipe for bread rolls.Its not only super easy but fool proof. You don't need to knead!........simply mix everything.  So, for this recipe I just added some cinnamon and all spice powder. Please feel free to add in nutmeg, cloves or any other spice you want. You can even add in some orange zest if your feeling adventurous........Iv also added raisins and dried cranberries but you can pretty much add in bits of any dried fruit you like and make it your recipe.

Perfect for breakfast. Cut open the bun, slather some butter on it and your good to go. Im already dreaming about coffee and these buns for my breakfast tomorrow morning!

This recipe makes about 11 small buns.

INGREDIENTS:
Warm milk - 1 cup
Yeast - 1 tbsp (I used instant)
Sugar - 2 Tbsps
Salt - 1 tsp
Unsalted butter - 3 tbsps, more for greasing and brushing
Egg - 1
All purpose flour - 2.5 cups
Cinnamon - 1 tsp
All spice - 1/4 tsp
Black raisins and dried cranberries -3/4 cup

for the flour paste:
All purpose flour - 1/2 cup
Water - a bit less than half cup
Sugar - 1 tbsp

for the sugar glaze:
Warm milk - 1 tbsp
Sugar - 1 tbsp

PROCESS:

• Soak the dried fruits in hot water for about 15-20 minutes. Drain and pat dry on a tea towel.
• In a medium bowl mix together the flour,salt and the spice powders
• In another bowl, place the yeast, sugar and the warm milk. Beat in the egg. Give it a quick stir
• Add in the flour and bring the dough together. Add the butter slowly. Greasing your hands will help in handling the sticky dough.
• Once the dough has come together fold in the dried fruits. Place it in a greased bowl and brush some butter on it. Close it with cling wrap. Place it in a warm place in your kitchen and wait for it to double in size.
• Once the dough has doubled in size, lightly flour your work surface and place the dough on it.
• Grease your hands again. Roll it out using your hands. divide and cut it equally. I got 11 balls. Shape each ball neatly and pinch close the uneven surface and place it on a greased baking tray,  pinched side down. Leave a bit of space between each ball for the rolls to rise. Brush it with melted butter.
• Pipe the flour paste in the shape of crosses. close it lightly with a cling wrap for the second rise.
• pre heat oven to 375 degrees . place the baking tray in the oven and bake for about 15 minutes till the tops are golden brown. remove from oven and brush with the sugar glaze. Let it cool. 
• The hot cross buns are best eaten warm.

flour paste:

•  mix the flour and sugar. Add in the water slowly till you reach the desired consistency, It must be  a thick paste.Spoon it into a zip loc bag. Cut a teeny weeny hole at the corner to pipe the crosses on the buns.

for the sugar glaze:

• mix together the warm milk and sugar.