Spicy Hot Cross Buns

• 2 pkg. active dry yeast
• 6 to 7 c. all purpose flour
• 1 c. warm mashed potatoes
• 1/2 c. milk, scalded, then cooled to lukewarm
• 1/2 c. butter, melted and cooled
• 2 lg. eggs
• 1/3 c. brown sugar, packed
• 1/3 c. sugar
• 2 tsp. cinnamon
• 1-1/2 tsp. allspice
• 1/4 tsp. ground cloves
• 1 tsp. nutmeg
• 1/4 tsp. mace
• 1 c. raisins
• 3 Tbsp. rum or rum flavoring, mixed with 3 Tbsp. water
• 1/2 c. candied citron, minced
• 1/2 c. milk
• 1/3 c. sugar
• 3 Tbsp. butter, softened
• 1 Tbsp. milk
• 2 Tbsp. fresh lemon juice
• 3 c. powdered sugar, sifted

1. In a small bowl, proof the yeast in 1/2 c. warm water for 15 minutes.
2. In a food processor, blend 1-1/2 c. flour with the yeast mixture, potatoes, milk, butter, eggs, salt, brown sugar, sugar, cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, mace and cloves, pulsing 5 times. Transfer the mixture to a bowl and let stand, covered, for 30 minutes, until bubbly.
3. Meanwhile, let the raisins soften 30 minutes in the heated rum/water mixture. Into the yeast mixture, stir the raisins with the rum, citron and 4-1/2 c. of remaining flour.
4. Combine until a dough is formed.
5. Knead in the remaining flour and then let rise until doubled.
6. Punch down and form into 20 balls.
7. Place the balls 1 inch apart on a greased baking sheet. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 30-40 minutes.
8. Bake at 350u0b0 for 15-18 minutes, or until golden.
9. Glaze:
10. In
11. a small saucepan, combine the milk and sugar and bring to a boil, stirring constantly, until it is reduced to 1/4 c.
12. Brush the buns with the glaze while they are warm, and then brush them again 2 minutes later (giving the first layer a chance to set).
13. Cool completely. Icing:
14. In a small bowl beat together the butter, milk and lemon juice.
15. Add the powdered sugar in batches, beating until smooth after each addition.
16. Put into a pastry bag fitted with a small, plain tip, and pipe the icing onto each bun in the form of a cross.

active dry yeast, flour, warm mashed potatoes, milk, butter, eggs, brown sugar, sugar, cinnamon, allspice, ground cloves, nutmeg, mace, raisins, rum, candied citron, milk, sugar, butter, milk, lemon juice, powdered sugar

Taken from www.cookbooks.com/Recipe-Details.aspx?id=73258 (may not work)