Hot Cross Buns

Another great recipe from Fancy Molasses, i've tried these hot cross buns, and they were an early morning delight!!

• Ready In: 35 mins
• Yields: 12 hot Cross Buns

Ingredients

• 1⁄2 cup milk
• 1  teaspoon salt
• 1⁄4 cup molasses
• 1  dry yeast (package)
• 1  egg
• 2  tablespoons  soft shortening
• 2 -2 1⁄2 cups flour
• 1  teaspoon cinnamon
• 1⁄4 teaspoon nutmeg
• 1⁄4 cup currants
• 1⁄2 cup raisins

• MOLASSES BUTTER ICING

• 3  cups  sifted confectioners' sugar
• 1  egg white, unbeaten
• 1  teaspoon vanilla extract, lemon extract or 1  teaspoon  rum extract
• 1⁄3 cup butter
• 1  tablespoon molasses
• 2  tablespoons milk

Directions

1. Heat milk to lukewarm in a saucepan, remove from heat and add salt and molasses. Add the package of yeast to mixture, stir until dissolved. Stir in egg and shortening. Mix in flour and spices (just enough to handle easily)). Let rise twice. Knead in raisins and currants. Divide dough into balls. (about 1 dozen) Place abvout 2-inches apart on greased baking sheet. Cover and let rise until double . Just before baking cut a cross in the top of each bun. Bake at 375F until brown.
2. MOLASSES BUTTER ICING:
3. Add 1 cup confectioner's sugar, egg white and flavoring to creamed butter. Mix well. Add remaining confectioner's sugar alternately with molasses and milk. Beat well. Make cross with icing on hot cross buns.