Recipe: Hot Cross Buns with Cardamom

HOT CROSS BUNS

1 yeast cake (or 1 envelope powdered yeast)
1/4 cup lukewarm water
1/2 cup plus 2 tablespoons sugar, divided use
3 1/2 cups flour
1/2 tsp ground cardamom
1 3/8 cups lukewarm milk
3/4 cup (1 1/2 sticks) butter, melted
1/2 cup raisins
1 egg, beaten (for brushing tops)

Dissolve yeast in lukewarm water with 1 tbsp of sugar. Let stand for 10 minutes.

Sift the flour with the rest of the sugar. Add the cardamom then stir in the lukewarm milk and melted butter. Combine with the yeast mixture and work until smooth. Add the raisins. Sprinkle the dough with a little flour. Cover the bowl and let stand in a warm place for 1 hour.

Then knead dough, pull off pieces and shape into buns. Place the buns in a greased 9x9-inch baking pan to rise. Brush beaten egg over them.

Bake at 375 degrees F for 30 minutes.