Everyone has a recipe they love. Belizeans love their hot cross buns as much as the next person, and the favorite way to eat them is slathered with happy cow cheese, dripping in butter or simply dunked in a nice mug of coffee to start the Easter weekend right. Here is a recipe to test out your baking skills!!

Hot Cross Bun Recipe

Ingredients:

Dry

* 3lbs flour
* 2 packs of yeast
* Spice seeds
* Raisins
* ½ lb shortening
* 1 cup brown sugar

Wet

* Lukewarm coconut milk
* Vanilla (about 1 tablespoon)
* Essence of your choice

Preparation Method:

Add flour, yeast, spice seeds, raisins into a mixing bowl
Add in the ½ lb of shortening, followed by 1 cup of brown sugar.
Mix everything together until incorporated.
Pour in the lukewarm coconut milk – just until the dough starts coming together smoothly. You don’t want too much milk to make the dough wet and sticky, or too little milk that will make the dough stiff and dry.
While kneading the dough, add in vanilla and whatever essence you have chosen and knead well.
Continue kneading until dough is smooth and pliable.
Roll dough off into medium sized balls and set them on a baking sheet.
From the excess dough, cut 2 thin strips and make a cross across each bun.
Let the dough balls rise – about 20 minutes.
When the dough has risen, place baking sheet into oven at 375oF and let bake for 20-25 minutes.

Hot cross buns are traditionally enjoyed with fried fish, but can also be eaten as a snack with jam, jellies, cheese or plain with some hot coffee.