3 Easter activities (please read)

[miss kitty]

Can anyone help with the following:

1. Hot cross bun recipe: could include discussion on the symbol of the cross, the origin of the hot cross bun and then the recipe!

2. Palms (children make their own palms, and maybe could be asked to write one word to do with Easter on it, then used to spark class discussion?)

3. Make some finger puppets to retell the Easter story

THANK YOU SO MUCH in advance

[Diane]

Here's the recipe for Hot Cross Bun's... :) Diane... :wave:

Hot Cross Bun Recipe

1¼ cups of warm water
½ cup of soft brown sugar
4 teaspoons of dry active yeast
4 cups of flour
2 tablespoons of milk powder
2 teaspoons of mixed spice
1 teaspoon of cinnamon
A pinch of ground cloves
½ cup of dried currants
½ cup of raisins
¼ cup of mixed peel
50 grams / 2 oz of butter
5 tablespoons of flour
1 tablespoon of water
1 egg
Preheat the oven to 200°C, 390°F or gas mark 5½. Add the warm water to a medium sized bowl and stir in the brown sugar until dissolved. Sprinkle the yeast granules over the top and put aside. Melt the butter and set aside. In a large bowl or electric mixer sift the flour, milk powder and spices and then add the dried fruits. When the yeast mix is frothy add to the flour and fruit and pour in the melted butter. Mix to combine and knead by hand until smooth or for about 8 minutes using a mixer with dough hook. Cover and set aside to double in size or microwave for 10 to 15 seconds on high (this is a shortcut method to activate the dough). Cut and shape 15 buns and place in a warm greased baking tin. Lightly beat the egg and thinly coat the tops of the buns with the egg wash using a pastry brush. Place the buns in a warm place to continue rising for around 40 minutes. Mix 5 tablespoons of flour with around one tablespoon of water to make a firm dough. Roll into thin strips and place across the buns to form the crosses. Brush the strips with a little more egg wash. Bake for 20 minutes.

(Makes 15)

[kathleen]

Not related directly to your request, but you might do a search of The Family Fun website. They had a recipe in it last year for the easter rolls -- you bake rolls with a marshmallow inside them, when they are done baking and you break one open, it is empty inside to symbolize the opening of the tomb. Just a thought.

[Diane]

The Tradition of Hot Cross Buns
By Brenda Hyde
Hot Cross Buns have a mixed history. Some say they were part of pagan spring festivals and later given the cross by monks wanting to give Christian meaning to the the tradition. Other accounts speak of an English widow whose son went off to sea and she vowed to bake him a bun every Good Friday. When he didn't return she continued to bake a hot cross bun for him each year and hung it in the bakery window in good faith that he would some day return to her. The English people kept the tradition for her even after she passed away.

Holiday traditions often have pagan, as well as Christian roots and many times the symbolism has been changed over time to adapt to those using it in their celebrations. I have found that what really matters is what value the tradition has in our own families, and our own communities.

From the Grand Union Cook Book, copyright 1902, comes this recipe for Hot Cross Buns:

Make a thin batter with two ounces of yeast, half a pint of flour, one-quarter pound of white sugar and a quart of milk. Great care must be taken to prevent the flour from becoming lumpy. Let the mixture stand for an hour, then add four pounds of flour, half a pound of sugar and two teaspoonfuls of mixed spice. Make the mass into a smooth dough, cut and mold the buns and set them in a warm place where they may rise like bread. Bake in an oven such as is required for bread. This recipe makes 24 buns.
However, if you would like an up to date recipe that will be much easier to follow, the one below will work just fine!

Hot Cross Buns
Ingredients:
3/4 tsp. salt
1/4 cup milk
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup shortening
2 packages active dry yeast (2 1/2 tsp.)
1/2 cup warm water (about 110 degrees F)
3 eggs
4 cups sifted flour, divided
1/2 tsp. cinnamon
3/4 cup currants
1 egg white
1 tsp. cold water
Frosting (see recipe below)

Scald milk in a small saucepan, add salt, sugar and shortening; cool to lukewarm.

Sprinkle yeast on top of the warm water; stir to dissolve. Add yeast mixture, eggs, 1 cup flour and cinnamon to milk mixture; beat with electric mixer at medium speed about 2 minutes, scraping the bowl occasionally. Stir in currants and enough remaining flour, a little at a time, to make a soft dough that is easy to handle. Beat well.

Place in lightly greased bowl and turn dough over to grease top as well. Cover and let rise until just about doubled. This will take about 1 1/2 hours.

Punch down the dough. Turn onto lightly floured board. Roll or pat to a 1/2 inch thickness. Cut in rounds with a 2 1/2 inch biscuit cutter or bottom of a glass. Pat the shapes to a bun like shape. Place about 1 1/2 inches apart on greased baking sheets. Allow to rise until almost doubled, about 1 hour.

With a very sharp knife (serrated works well) cut a cross into the surface of each bun. Brush tops with unbeaten egg white mixed with cold water. Bake in a 375 degree F oven for 15 minutes or until golden brown.

Cool on racks for about 5 minutes. With a tip of a butter knife or a small spoon, fill in crosses with white frosting. Makes about 18 buns.

Frosting:
1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
2 tablespoons margarine or butter, softened
1-2 tablespoon milk
1/2 tsp. vanilla
Combine all ingredients and mix well until smooth.