Hot Cross Buns

You've probably heard the nursery rhyme reference to Hot Cross Buns. What you may not have known, is that they're associated with Good Friday. Which is why I made them this weekend, of all weekends in the year. And why I'll probably wait for my 2nd attempt (necessary, read on) until next year at this time.

They're actually easy to make (if you don't get cocky) and delicious. I used a recipe of Martha's. Except, I thought, instead of using the "Bun Crossing Paste" I'd cut a cross in the buns, like you do with, say, soda bread. Bad idea. My thinking went like this: the frosting cross is kind of a cop out. And gross. But, Martha's Bun Crossing Paste is not frosting, it's just flour and vegetable oil, and I should have trusted her. Because things started out well:

Before rise

After rise

Little round buns

And then quickly went south:

Had been risen--then crossed and deflated

They don't look quite so bad after baking (although I may have done that for just a titch too long).


But, they weren't what they were supposed to be. It's a tasty recipe, though. I just have to leave out the raisins for the sake of my children next time. Honestly.


TGIP Rating--Hot Cross Buns--KEEPER. Next time I'll actually follow the recipe as written and not think that I know better than Martha Stewart, of all people! And I'll leave out the raisins.

Next up: mr. has a birthday in a week! So, I'm making him a Devil's Food Cake with Coffee Buttercream.


P.S. I made the Honeyed Brown Butter from this smitten kitchen post to spread on the buns. It's delicious, but not right for these buns. Would be perfect on Whole Wheat Toast. Which reminds me, I still need to work out a recipe for Brown Butter Shortbread.