Hot cross buns, one a penny…
Happy Easter!
![Easter eggs and egg cup](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2750/4483667696_7613b2d1f1.jpg)
My childhood egg cup, still in my collection of things. I love the spotty legs and Mary Janes
I love Easter: the time of year, the over indulgence of chocolate eggs, four day weekends and above all Hot Cross Buns. So I decided weeks ago that I was going to make my own HXBs come hell or high water.
With perfect timing SNH presented me with a gift of a new lens for our Canon EOS 40D, a Canon nifty 50 lens. I am forever trying to get more light in my images and a shallower depth of field and this lens is exactly what I needed. Just in time to document my first ever attempt at baking any type of bread product!
The recipe I used was found on the Gourmet Traveller’s Website
![measuring flour](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4036/4483018557_629e8f393b.jpg)
Measure and sift
![dry ingredients in bowls](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4040/4483667540_ca9b4ddf2d.jpg)
I strayed from the recipe here, as I don't like rind in my HXBs so I used orange zest instead
![dough in the kitchenaid](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4015/4483667458_9e21cdde24.jpg)
Using the dough hook on the KitchenAid for the first time
![kneading the dough](http://farm5.static.flickr.com/4054/4483667388_222c3625bd.jpg)
SNH helps out and kneads the dough
![dough set to rise](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2774/4483018317_8efd1e4733.jpg)
Dough ready to be put aside and left to rise
![dough balls in tray](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2718/4483667260_9f5492fce4.jpg)
Dough balls in tray, looking a little messy - dough possibly too dry?
![Final buns and a cup of tea](http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2773/4483018199_4868e6898b.jpg)
Ta da! The final product, served with tea and a choccie egg
So they worked! They’re not lead balls, just a little ugly.
They could do with a little more taste as well, in parts they are plain (without the glaze) that’s possibly due to me removing the orange peel, but I refuse to believe that orange peel provides that much flavour.
And the good part? I would do it again!