Appropriate age groups for this Easter celebration or activity:
Preschool and Younger
Elementary School
Middle School
High School & Beyond

Description of Easter celebration or activity:
Hot Cross Buns go way back! The pagans of England, until near 600 A.D., were said to have made similar breads to represent the 4 quarters of the moon. That, too, was a 'Welcome to Spring' rite.

When missionaries began conversion of England to Christianity, the little breads were blessed by clergy and took on the symbol of the Cross. One legend says that a kind-hearted monk baked them on Good Friday, to feed the poor. From that simple gesture came a belief that Good Friday bread, blessed by clergy, had powers of protection and healing. People would even hang bread baked on Good Friday above the hearth, and leave it there for all the coming year, to ward off Evil. They would grind off pieces of the bread, during the course of the year, and use the powder to treat all manner of illness.

Pagan or Christian, every village had good reason to celebrate the arrival of Spring. Some of the rituals people adhered to (fasting, and avoiding consumption of meat and eggs) were partially measures adopted for Survival! Winters were harsh; it took fortitude not eat the last laying hen, or the last of the livestock. Entire villages suffered the winters, and rejoiced in Springtime, together. Food was a major part of any celebration then, and continues to be important today.

Setting up and preparing for this celebration or activity:
Hot Cross Buns:

1 package active dry yeast

1/4 c. warm (not too hot!) water

1 c. warm milk

2 Tbsp. butter, softened

1/3 c. sugar

3/4 tsp. salt

3/4 tsp. cinnamon

1/4 tsp. ground cloves

1/4 tsp. nutmeg

2 eggs

3/4 c. currants*

1/4 c. finely diced candied orange peel or citron*

4 1/3- 4 2/3 c. unsifted, all purpose flour

1 egg yolk beaten w/2 Tbsp. water


Icing:
3 oz. cream cheese, softened
1 c. powdered sugar
1 tsp. milk
1 tsp. vanilla extract
--------------------------------
In a bowl, dissolve yeast in water. Add milk, butter, sugar, salt, cinnamon, cloves, and nutmeg; stir well. Beat in eggs. Add currants/orange peel/citron, and about 4 cups of the flour, to make a soft dough.

Turn onto floured board; knead until smooth and satiny (10-20 min) adding flour as needed to prevent sticking. Turn dough over in a greased bowl; cover and let rise in a warm place until Doubled (about 1 1/2 hours).

Punch the dough down, and divide into 18 equal pieces*.
Shape each into a smooth round ball. Place balls of dough into two buttered 8 inch square baking pans (disposable aluminum pans are fine!). Cover lightly and let rise in a warm place until Doubled (45 min.-one hour). Brush lightly with egg yolk mixture.

Bake rolls in preheated oven at 375 degrees F., 20-25 minutes, or until Golden brown. Remove from pans; cool on wire rack.

In a small mixing bowl, beat cream cheese, powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla until smooth.

Drizzle frosting across the top of each individual bun, in the shape of a Cross.

Other suggestions or comments:
*I found tremendous variations in what spices to use, the fruit/candied orange peel/citron bits that could be added, the size to make the buns (which affects the Yield), and the temperature to set the oven to.

Currants are like Tiny raisins, and not found in every market. You can use ordinary raisins, or scan the dried fruit section of the grocery store and just see what Cool stuff is available. The choices we have today are incredible!!! Most any Small-sized fruit bits will work. I used a bag of golden raisins and dried cherries; some people might like Tropical fruit bits, or dried cranberries (Craisins).

Lots of people associate citron with Fruitcake, and won't go there...just round up the measure of 'Fruit Bits' (whatever type) to one full cup.
A teaspoon or so of finely grated lemon or orange 'zest' (surface only, not the white stuff) would be a nice addition, if you like.

If you want Smaller buns (hey, don't we all? ;-) you can divide the dough into 36 equal pieces. This shortens the rising time to about 35 minutes, and cuts the bake time nearly in half. 2 dozen? Well, that'll work, too.

When it looks double, it is...when you begin to Smell bread, better check it ;-)

You can bake 'em on cookie sheet; the pans just help keep the bottom part of the buns Softer.

Save any icing that's left; good dip for graham crackers!

Bread Machine can be used if you have a Dough mixing cycle; one with an audible Signal (to add the fruit) is a real plus! Consult the manual for hints in basic operations.

Of course, Hot Cross Buns can also be purchased from a bakery! A pilgrimage to a good Bakery or coffee shop is definitely a warm and wonderful tradition, and traditions are meant to be Shared ;-)

Happy Easter, Happy Spring!