Hot Cross Buns

Happy Easter to everyone who celebrate...Here is some hot cross buns..:) Everytime I studied the rhymes" Hot cross buns" I have wondered how these buns were.. Finally I baked my own batch of hot cross buns by replacing egg with  flax seeds and using raisins and cardamom as flavors..Here is the recipe

All purpose Flour-3 cups

Active dry yeast-2 tsp

Milk-1 cup(lukewarm)

Honey-1/4 cup

Salt-1 tsp

Flax seed powder-1 tbsp

Hot Water-3 tbsp

Cardamom-1tsp(seeds lightly crushed)

Raisins-1/2 cup(golden and dark mixture)

Egg wash/Milk wash

Method of preparation:

1.In a bowl mix yeast and milk and set to foam for 5 minutes.
2. Mix flax seed powder and hot water and let sit for few minutes. It will turn thick by that time. If it doesn't then heat this mixture till it turns thick and resembles egg white in texture. Let cool for some time.

3. Add honey, salt and flax mixture and stir until everything mixes.

4. Add the cardamom and raisins and mix well.

5. Add flour to this mixture and knead to a soft and elastic dough about 8 to 10 minutes. The dough is sticky at beginning but turns soft and elastic as you knead it. Add little extra flour if really needed approx 1 hour for me..

6. Transfer the dough to lightly oiled bowl and set aside to double in size. 

7. Punch the dough and shape them to 12 round balls/ rolls and set on a baking tray to rise for another 25 minutes.

8. Preheat oven to 400F. Egg/milk wash the rolls and bake for about 10 to 15 minutes or till lightly browned.

9. Allow to cool.Apply icing and serve.

For Icing:
Confectioners sugar-1/2 cup
Cream-1 tbsp

1. Mix the cream and powdered sugar to smooth paste. 

2. Once rolls cool completely,  use a piping bag to mark the cross on the buns. You can do it with a tsp too.

Hokkaido Milk Bread with Tangzong(Eggless)

This time Aparna gave us the detailed recipe to bake Hokkaido Milk bread.They are soft white breads which gets its texture from the use of Tangzhong. This month I have been baking a lot of bread using this method as a part of another baking group too. As I have done the loaf already here I have tried some shapes.Original recipe is from 65 Degrees Tangzhong “65C Bread Doctor” by Yvonne Chen, and adapted from here.

For Tazgzhong(Flour-Water Roux):
All purpose flour-1/3 cup
Milk-1/2 cup
Water-1/2 cup

For Dough:
All purpose flour-21/2 cups
Sugar-3 tbsp
Salt-1 tsp
Powdered milk-2 tbsp
Instant dried yeast-2 tsp
Milk-1/2 cup+1/4 cup(extra if needed)
Cream-1/8 cup(25% fat)
Tangzhong-1/3 cup(use half tangzhong from above)
Salt-1/4 tsp
Unsalted Butter-25 gm(cut to small pieces, softened at room temp)

Method:
The Tangzhong:
1. Whisk he flour, water and milk in a saucepan until smooth and there are no lumps.
2. Place saucepan over medium heat, let the roux cook till it starts thickening.
3. Keep stirring constantly so no lumps form and the roux is smooth.
4. Cook the roux till it reaches 150F(65C) or until you see lines forming in roux as you stir/whisk.Take pan off the heat at this point.
5. Let it cool completely before using it for baking.

To make bread:
1. Combine all dry ingredients in a bowl, mix together, make  a well in center and set aside.
2. whisk cream, milk, tangzhong together and add this into the dry ingredients. Knead until everything comes together and you get a dough shape and gluten has developed. Then knead the butter.
3. Knead the dough into a ball shape and keep it in a  greased bowl covered with a kitchen towel to proof till its doubled in size, about 45 minutes or more depending on the weather.
4. Transfer it to a clean surface to shape it.This recipe makes one loaf(9"X 5"), 2 small loaves(6"X4"), or 1 small 6"X4" loaf and 6 small rolls, or can shape it to rolls or different shapes.. Deflate and divide the dough .Preheat the oven to 325F.
I made a tortoise,2 flowers and six small rolls.

To make tortoise:
5. To start with tortoise first take ball of dough and shape it into a smooth ball.Shape a head and four limbs from smaller pieces of dough.
6. To make shell take a small piece of dough make a thin round(1/8" thick) and mark with a knife. 
7. The marks should be deep but don't cut through. Wet the under side of dough with milk or water and stick it on back of your tortoise. 

To make flower:
8. Take two small rolls of equal size. Stretch them to sticks about 3/4 to 1 inch thickness.
9. Take two sticks and make spirals with them. Pinch the ends after making a small round.
10. Now take a small ball that fits in center of round and brush it with little milk on the sides and place it in the center.

To make rolls:
11. Take a small ball and roll it to a small oval shape using a rolling pin. Fold the smaller side into center and then the other side slightly over the earlier one.
12. Now roll the unfolded edges again to form a small rectangle and then make it to a roll and pinch the edges to seal well. Keep the roll in the muffin pan and continue with the other dough ball.
Notes: You can stuff the rolls with sweet or savory fillings.

13. Set it aside covered with a kitchen towel to proof  for 45 minutes or till it reaches to 3/4th of the tin.
14. Apply a layer of egg wash to the dough and bake it in the preheated oven for  35 to 40 minutes. To check doneness tap the bread and you should hear a hollow sound.
15. Transfer to wire rack to cool completely. Slice and enjoy soft freshly baked bread. You can keep it in airtight box for later use. This stays fresh even the next day.

Done by:

White Bread using Tangzhong Method

Baking a bread and then enjoying the fruit of your work is the best thing to do..And if the bread turns super soft and delicious then you can sing along about it..:) This time Baking Partners group came up with baking bread using either Asian method-Tangzhong or the Scandinavian method. I went with the Tangzhong method where in one part of flour is heated to 65C with five part of water. This method yields soft breads. The recipe is from Christine's Recipe   and thanks Swathi for suggesting it. The bread was super soft and had great texture..Here is how its done..

Ingredients for tangzhong: 

Bread Flour-1/3 cup/50 gms

Water-1/2 cup
Milk-1/2 cup

Ingredients for bread:
Bread flour-21/2 cups/350gms
Caster Sugar-3 tbsp+2 tsp/55 gms
Salt-1 tsp/5gm
Egg-1 large/56gm
Milk powder-1 tbsp+ 1 tsp/7 gm(optional)
Milk-1/2 cup/125ml
Tangzhong-120 gm
Instant Yeast- 2 tsp/5 to 6 gm
Butter-3 tbsp/30gm(softened)

Method of Preparation:
1. Mix flour n water well without any lumps. Cook over medium low heat, stirring constantly  to avoid burning or sticking. The mixture starts to become thick.
2. Once you see some lines appear in mixture when you stir with spoon remove from heat. The temperature of mixture will be 65c/149F.
3. Transfer it to a clean bowl and wrap with a cling film to avoid drying. Once cooled completely this can be used to make bread. You can use it the same day or the next day.

Method of making bread:
1. Combine all dry ingredients in a bowl make  a well in center and set aside.
2. whisk egg, milk, tangzhong together and add this into the dry ingredients. Knead until everything comes together and you get a dough shape and gluten has developed. Then knead the butter.
3. Knead the dough into a ball shape and keep it in a  greased bowl covered with a kitchen towel to proof till its doubled in size, about 40 minutes or more depending on the weather.
4. Transfer it to a clean  floured surface. Deflate and divide the dough into four equal portions. Knead into small balls, wrap in cling film and let rest for 15 minutes. Meanwhile grease a 9"X 5" loaf pan. Preheat the oven to 350F.
5. Take a small ball and roll it to a small oval shape using a rolling pin. Fold the smaller side into center and then the other side slightly over the earlier one.
6. Now roll again to form a small rectangle and then make it to a roll. Keep the roll in the baking pan and continue with the other dough ball.
7. Set it aside covered with a kitchen towel to proof  for 40 minutes or till it reaches to 3/4th of the tin.
8. Apply a layer of egg wash to the dough and bake it in the preheated oven for  35 to 40 minutes. To check doneness tap the bread and you should hear a hollow sound.
9. Transfer to wire rack to cool completely. Slice and enjoy soft freshly baked bread. You can keep it in airtight box for later use.

Turned them to a simple sandwich.....

Notes:

1. Tangzhong can be kept fr a day or two in fridge. Do not use it if you see it has turned dark. Top be on safer side use it on the day its made or the next day.
2. You can make this bread into rolls, shape it, fill it.
3. Instead of bread flour you can use all purpose flour.
4. For the half milk half water used in making tangzhong you can use full 1 cup water.
5. Instead of egg wash you can use milk or cream to get brown color, but gloss will not be there.
6. While baking if the top of your bread is browning fast then cover it with a foil.
7. The rise time of dough depends on the area you live.
8. The dough is very sticky.Its a mess when you knead with hand. You have to knead till it is soft and elastic and do not add extra dough. Kneading properly should help to get rid of stickiness.

For shaping the bread check this link.

Classic Croissants- A buttery flaky delight..

This time Aparna gave us the detailed recipe to bake buttery croissants. They are cute buttery delights when done. But baking them meant a lot of patience, effort, and calculation, all divided into 3 days. I have had them many times from here and have thought of baking them too but never imagined that it was going to be a 3 day process and some work. Thanks to the group "We Knead to bake" which inspired to make this and for the detailed information given by Aparna.. The original recipe is by Jeffrey Hamelman. This video will help you too...Here is my bake...

For dough:
All purpose flour-4 cups
Cold water-1/2 cup nd 2 tbsp
Cold milk-1/2 cup plus 2 tbsp
Granulated sugar-1/4 cup
Unsalted Butter-40gms(soft)
Instant Yeast-1 tbsp plus scant 1/2 tsp
Salt-2 tsp

For butter layer:
Cold unsalted butter-250gms
Cold milk-1/2 cup
or egg for egg wash-1 no

Method of preparation:

Day1:

Make dough:
 1. Combine all ingredients for dough in a bowl of dough stand mixer fitted with a hook. I used my hand to do this.
2. Mix everything together and knead for 3 minutes to form a ball of dough.(If using mixer, mix everything on low speed for 3 minutes, scraping the sides of the mixing bowl once if necessary. Then mix further on medium speed for 3 minutes)
3. Lightly flour a 10" pie pan/dinner plate and place the dough ball on it.
4. Gently flatten the dough slightly, lightly dust the top with flour and wrap well with a clear film/plastic so that it doesn't dry before storing it in fridge. Refrigerate overnight.

I am too bad at clicking pics while making food, so here is an effort to represent it pictorially..Hope it helps..:)

 Day 2:

Make butter layer:
1. Next day cut two 10" square pieces of parchment/wax paper.
2. Cut the cold butter to 1/2" thick slabs. Place these pieces on one parchment paper so they form a 5 to 6 " square. Cut the butter as required to fit the square. Place the other paper on top.
3. Using a rolling pin, pound the butter with light even strokes. When it starts to stick use more force.
4. Pound the butter till it flattens out evenly to form approxi.  a 7 and 1/2" square. Trim the edges to form a neat square. Add the trims on top of square and pound them again to form a smooth slab of the above measurement.Refrigerate when you roll the dough.

Laminate the dough:
1. Unwrap the dough on a lightly floured work surface. Roll it out to 10-1/2" square and brush off the excess flour.
2. Take butter from fridge which should be cold but pliable. If it isn't refrigerate till then. This so that when you roll out the dough with butter in it, neither should it be soft enough to melt, or hard enough to break.
3. Unwrap the butter and place it in the center to form a diamond shape on the dough.
4. Fold one flap of dough over the butter towards you and stretch slightly so that the point slightly touches the center/middle of butter square.
5. Bring the opposite flap to the middle and stretch slightly to overlap the previous one. Similarly work with other two flaps which will result in a dough forming an envelope around the butter.
6. Lightly press the edges together to seal the butter inside the dough so that butter doesnt escape when we roll it later.
7. Lightly flour the top and bottom of the dough with a rolling pin, firmly press along the dough uniformy to elongate it slightly.Now begin rolling instead of pressing to lengthen the dough instead of widening.Keep the edges straight.
8. Roll the dough into 8"X 24" rectangle. If ends lose their shape gently reshape corners with your hands.
Brush off the excess flour.
9. Lightly mark the dough into three equal pieces along the long side.Now using this as guideline pick up one short end of the dough and fold 1/3rd of it back ver the dough,  so that 1/3rd of the other end is exposed.
10. Now fold the 1/3rd exposed dough over the folded side. Basically the dough is folded in form of a three fold letter.
11. Put the folded dough on a floured baking sheet, cover with a plastic wrap, and freeze for 15 to 20 minutes to relax and chill the dough.
12. Repeat the rolling and folding, this time rolling in the direction of the two open ends(from the shorter sides to lengthen the longer sides) until the dough is about 8" X 24".
13. Once again fold the dough in thirds,  brushing off excesss flour and turning any rounded edges or short ends with exposed or smeared layers. Cover once again with a plastic wrap and freeze for another 15 to 20 minutes.
14. Roll and fold the dough exactly in same way for third time and put it in baking sheet. Cover with plastic wrap, tucking the plastic under all sides and refrigerate it.

Day 3:

Divide the dough:
1. Next day, unwrap and lightly flour the top and bottom of dough and then cut the dough along the longer side into halves. Cover and refrigerate one half while working with the other one.
2. Wake the dough up by pressing firmly along its length using a rolling pin. Just lengthen the dough do not widen it by this method.
3. Then roll the dough to a 8"X 22" long narrow strip. If dough sticks use flour.
4. Once dough is about 1/2 to 2/3rd of its length, it may resist to roling and may even shrink back. In that case fold the dough in thirds, cover and refrigerate for 10 mins.Then unfold dough and finish rolling.
5. Lift dough an inch off the table at its midpoint and allow it to shrink back which will keep it from shrinking when cut. See that there’s excess dough on either end so that when you trim the edges to straighten them, you have a strip of dough that is 20" long. Now trim the edges so they’re straight.
6. Lay a measuring rule and measure lengthwise along the top length of the dough. With a knife, mark the top of the dough at 5-inch intervals along the length (there will be 3 marks in all).
7. Now place the rule or tape measure along the bottom length of the dough. Make a mark 2-1/2 inches in from the end of the dough.
8. Make marks at 5-inch intervals from this point all along the bottom of the dough. You’ll have 4 marks that fall halfway between the marks at the top.
9. Make diagonal cuts by positioning the measuring scale at the top corner and the first bottom mark. Use a pizza wheel or a bench scraper and cut the dough along this line which connects each top mark to the next bottom mark and then back to the next top mark and so on.
10. This way you will have 7 triangles and a scrap of dough at each end.( If you’re good at “eyeballing” and cutting the dough into triangles, then forget the measuring rule, marking and cutting instructions)

Shape the croissants:
1. Work with one piece of triangular dough at a time. Using your rolling pin, very lightly roll (do not make it thin but only stretch it slightly) the triangle to stretch it a little, until it is about 10" long. This will give your croissants height and layers. You can stretch it by hand too, but if you don’t have the practice  your stretching could be uneven.
2. Using a sharp small knife, make a 1/2- to 3/4-inch-long notch in the center of the short side of each triangle. The notch helps the rolled croissant curl into a crescent.
3. Place the triangle on the work surface with the notched side closest to you. With one hand on each side of the notch, begin to roll the dough away from you, towards the pointed end.
4. Flare your hands outward as you roll so that the notched “legs” become longer. Roll the triangle tight enough but not too tight to compress it, until you reach the “pointy” end which should be under the croissant.
5. Now bend the two legs towards you to form a tight crescent shape and gently press the tips of the legs together (they’ll come apart while proofing but keep their crescent shape).
6. Shape all the triangles like this into croissants and place them on a greased or parchment lined baking sheet leaving as much space between them as they will rise quite a bit.

Proof the croissants:
1. Brush the croissants with milk (or a mix of milk and cream) or egg wash.
 If using an egg wash make by whisking one egg with 1 tsp water in a small bowl until very smooth. Lightly brush this on each croissant.
2. Refrigerate the remaining milk/ milk+cream or egg wash for brushing the croissants again later.
3. Place the croissants in a cool and draft-free place (the butter should not melt) for proofing/ rising for about 1 1/2 to 2 hours.  They might need longer than 2 hours to proof, maybe as much as 3 hours, so make sure to let croissants take the time to proof.
4. The croissants will be distinctly larger but not doubled in size. They’re ready if you can see the layers of dough from the side, and if you lightly shake the sheets, the croissants will wiggle.

Bake the croissants:
1. Just before the croissants are fully proofed, pre-heat your oven to 400F in a convection oven.
2. Brush the croissants with milk/ milk+cream (or egg wash) a second time.
3. Place your baking sheets on the top and bake them for about 15 to 20 minutes till they’re done and golden brown on top and just beginning to brown at the sides.
4. If they  seem to be darkening too quickly during baking, lower the oven temperature by 25F. Cool the croissants on the baking sheets on racks.
5. Serve warm. This recipe makes 15 croissants.

Notes:
1. Do not over knead the dough. My dough was a bit dry so had to add 2 tbsp of extra water.
2. The butter and dough should be cold while working.
3. Seal the butter completely. While rolling the butter should not leak.
4. If there are leaks in 2 to 3 places use flour to seal it. Dust little.

Done by "We Knead To Bake" group:

Herb and Cheese Pull-apart Bread

A post after a short break..When this year started I had thought that I would post in some rhythm, now that was just a thought not a resolution and I am happy that it was a thought else I would have had to add one more broken resolution to my list...:) Now I cant take the whole blame..it may be the weather too which doesn't allow me to wake up from bed or from couch or wherever I am seated...Oh come on! weather is not having an effect only on me...The Sun who is supposed to wake us up or who is supposed to bring light is resting the whole day..making day look more like night..Now don't you think the sun has to do its job even if humans don't ???? That is enough of reasons to support me from missing in action..:)..Hey BTW thanks to all food groups I am there because of whom I post at least 2 or 3 times a month...:)

This bread was made a year back just now got the privilege to be here..It is from here..I had prepared this for a party and was enjoyed by everyone..A delicious one with flavors from herbs and cheese...

Active dry yeast- 2 tsp
Luke warm water-1 1/3 cups
Extra-virgin olive oil-2 tbsp
Salt-2 tsp
All purpose flour-3 1/2 cups
Butter-1/4 cup(melted)
Red Chilli Flakes-1 tsp
Italian Seasoning-1 tbsp
Garlic-2 cloves(minced)
Parmesan cheese-1/4 cup (grated)

Method of preparation:
1. In a large mixing bowl, mix together the yeast and water. Let sit 5 minutes until yeast is foamy. Mix in the olive oil, salt, and flour.
2.Mix the flour and then knead the dough on a lightly floured surface until dough is soft and elastic, 7-10 minutes.
3. Transfer dough to a lightly oiled bowl and cover with a kitchen towel.
4. Allow to rise for 1 1/2 to 2 hours, or until dough is doubled in size.
5. In a small bowl, combine melted butter, Italian seasoning, and minced garlic. Set aside.
6. Punch down the dough. Tear off small pieces of dough, coat in the butter mixture, and place in the bottom of a bundt pan. Repeat this process until you have one layer of dough balls.
7. Sprinkle some of the Parmesan cheese. Continue layering the dough balls and cheese until you have 3 layers.
8. Cover the pan with a clean towel and allow to sit until dough has doubled in size, 20-30 minutes.
9. Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until bread is golden brown.Serve hot.

Notes:

1. Any herb and cheese can be used.

2. I made the above recipe in 2 small bundt pans and about 8 rolls. 

We knead to bake #1: Baingan Bharta Pull apart bread

Baking breads is not something I do on a regular basis and if I do so,  it always ended up with white or garlic rolls. Then I saw Aparna starting  a group known as We Knead To Bake where in she was checking with people who was interested to bake one bread every month thereby 12 breads for the year. That sounded interesting and I was sure that I would get to do many other varieties other than the white and garlic ones. I sent her a mail and she added me to the group and sent me the recipe for this month. When I opened it I realized that very recently I did a herb bread which is still to be published. So this time I went a little wild and wanted to try something different. That was when we had a dinner at Mediterranean and had baba Ganoush. Now that made me think that I would try that as a filling, but then that would be too tangy for our taste. Then came the idea of using eggplant in the Indian way known as Baingan bharta where the eggplant is smoked on fire and then mashed and mixed with other spices. Now I had to make it dry in order to not end with a soggy bread. so have made some variations resulting in a delicious spread on bread.As for the bread this is very soft and delicious one and using milk to knead it adds to the deliciousness.

For the dough:
Milk-1/2 cup(warm)
Sugar-1 tsp
Active Dry Yeast-2 tsp
All Purpose flour-23/4 to 3 cups
Salt-1 tsp
Butter-25gms(soft at room temperature)
Garlic paste-3/4 tsp
Milk-3/4 cup(a couple of tbsp more to brush over the bread)

For stuffing/spread Baingan bharta(smoked mashed Eggplant) :
Eggplant-1 big(smoked)
Onion-1 medium(cut to small pieces)
Tomato-1 small(cut to small pieces)
Butter-2 tsp
Cloves-2 nos
Coriander seeds-1/2 tsp
Cumin seeds-1/2 tsp
Garlic clove-2 nos
Ginger garlic paste-3/4 tsp
Chili powder/chili flakes-1 tsp
Garam masala-1/4 tsp
Salt for taste
Amchur-1/4 tsp
Nutmeg-1/4 tsp
Coriander leaves-2 tbsp(chopped fine)
Melted Butter-15 gms

Method of preparation:
1. Wash the eggplant and wipe the water away. Apply a little oil on surface and roast the eggplant by turning around on flame till the skin becomes dark and the eggplant turns mushy. Keep aside to cool and remove the peel leaving some on.
2. Now heat butter in a wok and fry cloves, cumin,coriander seeds in it. Add onion, garlic,garlic paste and cook till it turns golden brown.
3. Add tomatoes to this and cook them till it turns mushy. Now add the spice powders and mix well. Add salt to taste and then cool the mixture.
4. Once cooled grind it coarsely along with eggplant.
5. Turn it down to a bowl and if you feel it has too much of liquid or is too moist, heat it again till it turns dry. Garnish with coriander leaves. Let it cool before using on bread.

Method of Preparation:
1. In a small bowl, dissolve the sugar and the yeast in the 1/2 cup of warm milk. Keep aside for about 5 minutes till the yeast rises.
2. Put 2 3/4 cup of flour, salt, softened butter, and garlic paste in a bowl and mix.
3. Then add the yeast mixture and the 3/4 cup of milk and knead till you have a soft, smooth and elastic/ pliable dough which is not sticky. Add a little extra flour if your dough is sticking.
4. Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a well-oiled bowl, turning the dough to coat it completely with oil. Cover and let it rise for about 1 to 1 1/2 hours or until almost double in volume.
5. Dust your work surface lightly with flour. Deflate the dough, shape it into a square and roll the dough out into a larger square that is about 12" by 12".
6.  Brush the surface of the square with the melted butter. Evenly spread the bhaingan bartha filing.
7. Using a pizza cutter, slice the dough from top to bottom into 6 long and even strips – they do not have to be perfect. Lay each strip on top of the next, with the topping facing upwards, until you have a stack of the strips.You can put the 2 strips cut from the sides in the middle of the stack so it looks neater.
8.  Using a pastry scraper or a sharp knife, cut straight down through the stack dividing it into 6 equal pieces (6 square stacks).
9. Grease and lightly flour a 9" by 5" loaf tin. Butter and lightly flour a 9 x 5 loaf pan. Layer the square slices, cut sides down into the loaf tin
10. Cover the loaf tin dough with a towel and allow the dough to rise for an hour. Lightly brush some milk over the top of the loaf.
11. Bake the dough at 350F for about 30 to 40 minutes until it is done and the top is golden brown. This recipe bakes one 9" by 5" loaf.

.

Notes:
1. Baingan bharta has to be dry to avoid a soggy bread.
2. Before applying the mixture on bread see that its completely cooled.
3. In order to reduce moisture I have decreased the amount of tomato and added amchur.