Mom's Easter Hot Cross Buns

Description
Contributed by CM at World Recipes Y-Group
 * Makes 18 buns

Dough

 * 5 cups all purpose flour, divided
 * 2 pkg active dry yeast
 * ½ cup sugar
 * 1 teaspoon salt
 * 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
 * ¼ teaspoon ground cardamom
 * ¼ teaspoon cloves
 * ¼ teaspoon nutmeg
 * 1¼ cups milk
 * ½ cup butter
 * 2 eggs, beaten
 * ¾ cup currants or raisins
 * ⅓ cup candied orange peel
 * 1 egg yolk mixed with 2 tablespoons water

Cream Cheese Frosting

 * 3 oz cream cheese, softened
 * 1 cup confectioner's sugar
 * 1 tsp milk

Directions

 * 1) Combine 2 cups of flour, yeast, sugar, salt and spices in a large mixing bowl.
 * 2) In a separate bowl, heat milk and butter to very warm (125 °F).
 * 3) Add to flour.
 * 4) Beat on medium speed of mixer for 1 minute.
 * 5) Add eggs.
 * 6) Beat another minute.
 * 7) Stir in currants, orange peel and enough remaining flour to make dough easy to handle.
 * 8) Turn dough out onto lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic, about 5 minutes, adding additional flour as needed.
 * 9) Try not to add too much flour; dough can be slightly sticky to the touch. (put oil on your hands to prevent sticking if necessary)
 * 10) Place in a buttered bowl, turning to butter top.
 * 11) Cover; let rise in warm place until doubled in bulk, about 1 hour.
 * 12) Punch down dough; turn onto lightly floured surface.
 * 13) Divide dough in half; divide each half into 9 pieces.
 * 14) Form each piece into a smooth round ball.
 * 15) Place balls of dough in two buttered 8-inch square baking pans.
 * 16) Cover and let rise in warm place until doubled in bulk, about 45 minutes to 1 hour.
 * 17) Brush lightly with egg yolk mixture.
 * 18) Bake rolls in preheated 375 °F degree oven, 20 to 25 minutes, or until golden brown.
 * 19) Remove from pans.
 * 20) Cool on a wire rack.
 * 21) Drizzle frosting (see below) across the top of each bun in the shape of a cross.

Cream Cheese Frosting

 * 1) Beat cream cheese and sugar in a bowl until smooth.
 * 2) Add up to 1 teaspoon of milk or just enough so that the frosting is a good consistency for drizzling.
 * 3) (if it becomes too watery, add more sugar).