Orange Hot Cross Buns

By es123

Ingredients

• 2 packages (1/4 ounce each) active dry yeast
• 1 1/4 cup warm orange juice (110°-115°), divided
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 3 eggs
• 3 to 4 teaspoons grated orange peel
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1/2 teaspoon ground cinnamon
• 1 cup raisins
• 6 to 6 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
• Glaze
• 1 cup confectioners' sugar
• 2 to 3 teaspoons water

Preparation

Step 1

In a large bowl, dissolve yeast in 3/4 cup warm orange juice. Add butter, sugar, eggs, orange peel, salt, cinnamon, raisins, remaining orange juice, and 3 cups flour. Beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a soft dough.
Turn onto a lightly floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, about 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease top, Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
Punch dough down; turn onto a lightly floured surface. Divide into 22 pieces; shape each into a ball. Place 2 in. apart on greased baking sheets. Using a sharp knife, cut a cross on the top of each ball. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 30 minutes.
Bake at 350° for 12-15 minutes or until golden brown. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool.
In a very heavy-duty resealable plastic bag, combine glaze ingredients until smooth. Cut a small hole in the corner of bag; pipe a cross on each bun.