Serves: 5
Total Calories: 1,873
Yield: 12 to 15 Buns

Basic Sweet Yeast Dough prepared through step 1
1/2 cup currants
1-2 tablespoon melted butter
1/2 cup milk
1 tablespoon sugar
ICING
1 cup confectioner's sugar
1 tablespoon milk
few drops vanilla extract or other flavor such as almond, lemon, or orange

1. Before kneading the Basic Sweet Yeast Dough, add the currants. Knead for 5 minutes, or until the dough is elastic, then shape into a ball. Butter the bottom and sides of the mixing bowl, add the ball of dough, then turn it over, buttered side up. Cover and set in a warm spot for about an hour, or until the dough doubles in bulk. Butter a 10-inch round cake pan and set aside.

2. Punch down the risen dough. Pull off pieces and shape into small rounds the size of Ping-Pong balls (there will be about 12 to15). Place them fairly close together (but not touching) in the prepared cake pan. Brush the tops with melted butter, and let sit 30 minutes or more, or until they just begin to rise.

3. Cut a 1/2-inch deep cross into the top of each partially risen ball, cover, and let continue to rise until they have more than doubled their original size. Place in a preheated 375°F oven and bake for about 20 minutes, or until the balls have browned. Remove the pan from the oven and set aside.

4. In a small bowl, mix together the milk and sugar, then brush some on top of the hot buns. Return them to the oven for another 2 minutes. Remove the buns and place on a wire rack to cool completely.

5. To prepare the icing, stir together the confectioner’s sugar, milk, and vanilla in a small bowl until very smooth. If too thick, add more milk, one drop at a time, until the desired consistency is reached. If too thin, add more confectioner’s sugar, 1 tablespoon at a time. Spoon the icing into the cross on top of each bun. Allow the icing to set for 20 minutes before serving.

Nutritional Facts:

Serves: 5
Total Calories: 1,873
Calories from Fat: 478

More Recipes from the Great Natural Breads Made Easy Cookbook:
Basic Sweet Yeast Dough
Jam Buns
Swedish Tea Ring
Caramel Rolls (Schnecken)
Crumb Cake
Hot Cross Buns
Turnovers
Stollen
Kulich
Panettone