We made hot cross buns at the weekend. We mixed the dough using my new gadget: a breadmaker (which I will post more about when I've had a chance to do lots of different things with it). I used the recipe that came in the breadmaker instruction booklet, but it's pointless to share it because the measurements are all specific to the breadmaker measuring cups.
When the dough was ready we shaped it into buns and used a bit of saved dough, mixed with marzipan, to make the crosses on the tops before rising and baking (as per instructions from All Year Round - there's a full recipe for hot cross buns in there if you have a copy).
I've made hot cross buns before, in the past, but have never done the marzipan thing on top - we just made the crosses with a knife, previously. We were a bit over-enthusiastic with our marzipan, I think, but they are delicious! I've whipped up another batch and frozen them for over Easter weekend.
When the dough was ready we shaped it into buns and used a bit of saved dough, mixed with marzipan, to make the crosses on the tops before rising and baking (as per instructions from All Year Round - there's a full recipe for hot cross buns in there if you have a copy).
I've made hot cross buns before, in the past, but have never done the marzipan thing on top - we just made the crosses with a knife, previously. We were a bit over-enthusiastic with our marzipan, I think, but they are delicious! I've whipped up another batch and frozen them for over Easter weekend.
A quick google finds similar recipes - Delia's, slightly fancier ones from the Times, or ones with an icing cross from allrecipes.
I've never heard of using marzipan for the cross, good idea, not fond of the paste crosses at all. Once you get used to your breadmaker you will find that you can use pretty much any bread recipe and your weighing scales without worrying about it!
ReplyDeleteGorgeous.
ReplyDeleteMy girls are pestering for choc chip HCB. We can't find them here, but are very popular in Australia at easter time.
So that will be my project over the weekend.
You can make a cross with a plain four mix as well I think from memory.
I think yours look uber good though.
x
Bah, Hannah if you get my previous comment through then please delete this one. I said something along the lines of:
ReplyDeleteThese look delicious.
We have just started making all of our bread recently, as opposed to every now then. We've wondered about getting a bread machine. Using hands has not been as much of a faff as we had originally thought, but I would be interested to hear what you have to say about it!
Ria, I know that G bought choc chip HCB from Sainsbury's. They don't do it for me but I am considering making some for M, who was most impressed by them!
What a fab idea using marzipan to make the crosses - I'm going to do that for sure if ever I get around to making any.
ReplyDeleteyum, these are on our list for Friday
ReplyDeleteThanks for your comments everyone!
ReplyDeleteJanice - I'm playing it safe with the breadmaker for now - I never normally spend so much on kitchen gadgets and it has a big warning about overflowing! I'm looking forward to getting more confident with it.
Ria - I'd never heard of chocolate chip hot cross buns until you mentioned them but I've had loads of blog hits with people looking for the recipe - I might have to give them a go!
Lisa - I'm going to post a review of the breadmaker next week. I wanted to use it for a few different things before writing about it or recommending anything.