Monday, April 14, 2014

Cranberry Hot Cross Buns


Easter is almost upon us, hence 'tis the season for making hot cross buns.  I have always wanted to try making my own hot cross buns, and was sold when I saw a recipe in this month's Gourmet Traveller Magazine for sour cherry hot cross buns. The recipe has been posted online here.

Instead of sour cherries, I used dried cranberries, as I already had some in the house.  These buns do take some time to make, so think of it as a half a day project while you wait for risings, baking etc. The buns are not hard to make.  The hardest part for me was marking the cross - the first piping tip I used was too thin for the flour paste used to mark the cross, hence I expended lots of energy getting nowhere before switching to a broader tip.  Remember to put the glaze on while the buns are still hot (although the recipe is silent on this).

The resulting buns were soft and moist inside, with a lovely sweet sugar glaze on top:


I am not a huge bread person, but I really enjoyed eating one of these hot cross buns with a dab of margarine:


If you are looking for a good hot cross bun recipe to cut your teeth on, I recommend trying this sour cherry hot cross bun recipe (with cherries or other fruit).

9 comments:

  1. Despite the lengthy process it must be very satisfying to eat your own hot cross buns! Looks like you've done a great job!

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  2. I still need to try my hand at hot cross buns. These look great!

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  3. These look lovely and I really like the idea of those dried cranberries in there! I have made Hot Cross Buns before...maybe I should make them again this year as well. I have plenty of people to help me eat them at Easter time! Yours look wonderful.

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  4. I love love love hot cross buns - have been making them each year for a while but I am trying sourdough hot cross buns this year and feeling quite nervous about it - they are underway as I write - I was kicking myself I forgot to add cranberries because they are delicious in hot cross buns - glad you have enjoyed yours

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  5. Hi Cakelaw:)
    I love the notion of cranberries in Hot Cross Buns. Although I've never made them myself, I think cranberries would be a welcome addition.

    Thank you so much for sharing that link for Gourmet Traveller. I LOVE that site and had "misplaced" the link. Saved it now:)

    Thanks for sharing your Hot Cross Buns with us. You did such a wonderful job and I think the "crosses" are just fine...

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  6. As much as I love chocolate, I always look forward to the hot cross buns the most. Nice idea using cranberry!

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  7. I love the idea of sour cherry hot cross buns, and your cranberry hot cross buns. I will have to consider making my own just to get those flavours!

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  8. Your hot cross buns look amazing, that is so on my bucket list to do as well. I think you did a great job on the pipping!

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  9. Good looking job! I bet they were delish with the cranberries!

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Thanks for dropping by!