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Lenten Activities: Make Hot Cross Buns

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Hot cross buns are traditionally served during Lent, particularly on Good Friday in some parts of the world.  The cross on them reminds us of the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ. The spices used in them are reminders of the fragrant spices used during burial at the time.

So make some hot cross buns this Lent and take the time to reflect on the passion of our Lord with your family. One recipe is given below.

Hot Cross Buns

The icing cross on them reminds us of the crucifixion of our Lord Jesus Christ and the spices remind us of his burial.
The dough can also be made in an automated bread machine. Follow your ABM’s instructions to make the dough, and then continue at step 8 in the recipe.
Prep Time 2 hrs
Active Time 20 mins
Keyword Saints and Holy Days
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Ingredients
  

  • 2 packages active dry yeast or 4 1/2 teaspoons
  • 2 cups milk warmed
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/3 cup butter softened
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 1 1/2 teaspoons salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground allspice
  • 6 to 7 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup raisins
  • 1 egg yolk
  • 2 tablespoons water
  • 1 1/2 cups powdered sugar
  • 4 teaspoons milk

Instructions
 

  • In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in the milk.
  • In a large bowl, mix the eggs, butter, sugar, salt, spices, yeast mixture and about 3 cups of the  flour.
  • Stir in raisins.
  • Continue stirring in the flour until a soft, sticky dough forms.
  • Knead on a floured surface until the dough is smooth and elastic
  • Cover and let rise in a warm location until doubled, about an hour.
  • Punch down the dough.
  • Shape into 32 balls.
  • Place the balls about 2 inches apart on greased baking sheets.
  • Cover and let rise in a warm location until doubled, about 30 minutes.
  • Preheat oven to 375°.
  • Cut a cross on top of each bun with a sharp knife.
  • In a small bowl, whisk together the egg yolk and water.
  • Brush the tops of the buns with the egg wash.
  • Bake for about 20 minutes or until golden brown.
  • Let the rolls cool for 30 minutes on wire racks.
  • Mix the powdered sugar and enough milk to reach desired consistency to make an icing.
  • Pipe an icing cross on top of each bun.

Nutrition

Calories: 180kcal
Tried this idea?Let us know how it was!

#HotCrossBuns #GoodFriday #Lent #LentenRecipes

Lenten Activities: Make Pretzels and Say a Prayer

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The pretzel is a symbol of prayer. The twist in the pretzel is meant to look like hands in prayer. And pretzels are made with simple ingredients – no sugar, butter, eggs, milk, etc. (See the recipe at the bottom of this post.) In many cultures these “richer” ingredients are avoided are not used at all during Lent.  So making pretzels with your family or youth group is a nice Lenten activity.

Say a prayer when you serve your pretzels:

Pretzel Prayer for Family or Youth Group

© Young-Catholics.com 2018 (Free to use with attribution)

More family ideas for Lent

Heavenly Father, bless these pretzels.
Help them remind us that Lent is a time of prayer.
When we look at the shape of the pretzel,
Let us remember to cross our arms
And lift our thanksgiving and needs to you.

Lord Jesus, use these pretzels.
Help them remind us that Lent is a time of fasting.
When we consider the simple ingredients,
Let us remember the sacrifice you made for us on the cross,
And offer our own little sacrifices.

Holy Spirit, inspire us through these pretzels.
Help them remind us that Lent is a time of almsgiving.
When we pray and fast,
Let us consider those who have less
And give to them from our hearts.

Amen.

Soft Pretzel Recipe

These soft pretzels are fun and easy to make with your family.Steps 3 through 6 may be done in an automated bread machine. Follow your ABM’s instructions. Prep Time 40 minsActive Time 15 mins Keyword Saints and Holy Days No ratings yet Print Pin Share Email

Ingredients  

  • 1 pkg 2 1/4 tsp active dry yeast
  • 1 1/2 cups warm water
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 4 cups flour approximately
  • coarse salt

Instructions 

  • Line baking sheets with parchment.
  • Preheat oven to 425 degrees.
  • Dissolve yeast in warm water.
  • Add the salt.
  • Stir in 3 cups of flour.
  • Using additional flour, knead the dough until smooth and elastic.
  • Divide the dough into 18 pieces.
  • Roll each piece into a 10 inch rope.
  • Twist the rope into a pretzel shape and place on baking sheet.
  • Let the pretzels rest for 20 minutes.
  • Brush with water and sprinkle with coarse salt.
  • Bake for 12 to 15 minutes.

#lent #pretzels #recipe

Assumption Activity: Assumption Shortcakes Recipe

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This dessert recipe is an Assumption activity to celebrate the Assumption of Mary.  Each part of the recipe represents something about the feast. (See below.) You can use your favorite shortcake recipe. Or use the simple recipe below which uses biscuit mix as a shortcut.

This can be a fun group activity and a tasty way to celebrate the Assumption of Mary. Use the time while the shortcakes are cooling to talk about why we celebrate this day.

Here is what the different parts represent:

More recipes for feast days
  • Biscuit – The earth
  • Strawberries – the suffering Mary bore in her heart
  • Blueberries – because Mary’s color is blue
  • Whipped cream – the clouds
  • Mini chocolate chips – the sweetness of life in heaven
  • Yellow sprinkles – Mary’s crown as Queen of Heaven

You could also make this with angel food cake or yellow cake.

Assumption Shortcakes Recipe

This dessert recipe is an Assumption activity to celebrate the Assumption of Mary.  Each part of the recipe represents something about the feast.
Prep Time 15 mins
Active Time 10 mins
Total Time 25 mins
Keyword Saints and Holy Days
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Equipment

  • Cutting board
  • Bowl
  • Cookie sheet

Ingredients
  

  • 1/2 quart strawberries
  • 1 pint blueberries
  • 1/4 cup sugar
  • 2 1/3 cups biscuit mix
  • 1/2 cup milk
  • 3 tablespoons sugar
  • 3 tablespoons butter or margarine melted
  • Canned whipped cream or whipped topping
  • Mini chocolate chips
  • Yellow sprinkles

Instructions
 

  • Preheat oven to 425.
  • Wash the fruit and slice the strawberries.
  • Mix the strawberries, blueberries, and 1/4 cup sugar in a bowl and set aside.
  • Next, stir together the baking mix, milk, 3 tablespoons sugar , and the butter until all the mix is moistened. Do not overmix.
  • Drop dough into six mounds on an ungreased cookie sheet.
  • Bake for 10 to 12 minutes.
  • Cool for 10 minutes
  • Split the biscuits and spoon some of the fruit mixture in the middle.
  • Put the tops on.
  • Top with remaining fruit, whipped cream, chocolate chips, and sprinkles.

Nutrition

Calories: 150kcal
Tried this idea?Let us know how it was!

#Assumption #Shortcakes #recipe #CatholicFamily

Pirate Jello Ships for VBS or Camp

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This video from Delish shows how to make pirate ship snacks from oranges and jello. This would be a fun Vacation Bible School or camp snack to make. You fill orange peel halves with jello and let them set. Then you cut them in quarters. Add a toothpick mast and a paper sail and you are finished! See the full recipe. Enjoy.

St. Lucia Rolls Recipe

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December 13 is the feast day of St. Lucy (or St. Lucia). In Sweden, her feast day is marked with celebrations. Young girls dress up as St. Lucy and these traditional St. Lucia rolls are made. So here is the recipe.

These are traditionally made with saffron, but If you don’t have any, you can use cardamom in a pinch.

The dough can also be made in an automatic bread machine. Follow the instructions for your ABM and use the dough cycle. Continue with the shaping and baking of the rolls as indicated below starting with step 8.

St. Lucia Rolls

Ingredients  

Rolls

  • 3/4 cup milk
  • 1/2 teaspoon saffron threads or cardamom
  • 1 teaspoon plus 1/4 cups sugar
  • 1 1/4-ounce packet active dry yeast
  • 3 1/2 to 4 cups flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/4 cup unsalted butter softened
  • 2 large eggs
  • 1/4 cup of sour cream
  • 40 raisins

Glaze

  • 1 egg
  • 1 tbsp water

Instructions 

  1. In a small saucepan, heat the milk, 1 tsp sugar and saffron until the milk is bright yellow. Cool to 115 degrees if necessary.
  2. Add the yeast to the milk and let sit for 5 minutes, until foamy. Transfer to mixer.
  3. Add the 1 1/2 cups flour, salt, remaining 1/4 cup sugar, salt, butter, and eggs to the milk mixture. Blend until moistened.
  4. Add the sour cream and mix in.
  5. Add an additional 2 to 2 1/2 cups of flour until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
  6. Knead on a floured board until smooth and elastic.
  7. Cover and let rise for 2 hours.
  8. Lightly grease cookie sheets.
  9. Punch dough down.
  10. Divide dough into 20 equal pieces.
  11. Roll each piece into a 10 inch rope and shape into an S.
  12. Place on cookie sheets.
  13. Cover and let rise for 30 minutes.
  14. Heat oven to 375.
  15. Press a raisin into the center of each end of the S.
  16. Beat the egg with the water to create the glaze. Brush rolls with glaze.
  17. Bake at 375 for 10 to 15 minutes or until golden.
  18. Cool on racks.

#StLucia #StLucy #recipes #saints