Most of you have probably heard of Hot Cross Buns and know that it’s a Good Friday tradition. If not, you can read about it here (that’s what I had to do). Since I love baking with my kids tolerate baking with my kids because I absolutely stink at imaginary play, I thought it would be a great tradition to start in our house. Then my mom reminded me of Resurrection Rolls which she bakes with her Sunday School class every year. Since I was already set on Hot Cross Buns, I decided I could merge the two ideas. I modified our recipe from this one.
Ingredients
3 cups all-purpose flour, divided
1/2 cup whole wheat flour
1/3 cup sugar
1 (.25 ounce) package active dry yeast (or 2 1/4 teaspoons)
1 1/2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon salt
1 cup milk
1/4 cup butter or stick margarine
2 eggs (reserve one yolk for brushing)
3/4 cup raisins (we left these out)
2 tablespoons cold water
12 marshmallows (we had to use minis b/c I was out of large ones)
ICING:
1 1/2 cups confectioners’ sugar
1/4 teaspoon grated orange peel
4 teaspoons orange juice
Directions
1.In a large mixing bowl, combine 2 cups all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, sugar, yeast, cinnamon and salt. In a saucepan, heat milk and butter to 120 degrees F-130 degrees F. Add to dry ingredients; beat just until moistened. Add eggs (remember to reserve one yolk);beat until smooth. Stir in raisins and enough remaining flour to form a soft dough. Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a bowl coated with nonstick cooking spray, turning once to coat top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
2.Punch dough down; turn onto a lightly floured surface. Divide into 12 pieces; shape each into a ball.
3. After reviewing the story of the crucifixion, give each child a ball of dough. Have them pinch off about 1/4 of it and put aside. Poke a hole into the larger dough ball to form a “tomb.” Place Jesus (one marshmallow) inside. Place reserved dough ball on top as the stone.
4. Place rolls in round deep dish pan. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 30 minutes.
5.Beat egg yolk and water; brush over buns. Bake at 375 degrees F for 15-18 minutes or until golden brown.
6. As the rolls bake, the marshmallow will melt away. Remove the buns from the oven and let cool for about 5 minutes or until cool enough to handle. Let the kids roll away the “stones” to find that the “tombs” are empty! If there is a little marshmallow residue, you can tell them it is the burial clothes that Jesus left behind 😉
