5 Hot Cross Bun Recipes That Are Guaranteed To Win Easter

Traditionally baked to be enjoyed during Lent, hot cross buns have been a sweet signal that spring has sprung since the 12th century. They're said to have various mythical properties (some used to keep one hanging from the kitchen ceiling all year 'round to ward off evil spirits) but it is believed the cross first appeared in honour of Good Friday, which is why they're so popular at this time of year. So popular in fact that once Granny picks up a box after Mass and the neighbour drops in a dozen she's baked herself, suddenly the house is overflowing with them. Here are three ways to make the most of the glut: Bun & Butter Pudding A twist on the traditional bread and butter pudding, this recipe is an ideal way to use up leftover buns. Ingredients:

• 6 hot cross buns
• butter to spread the buns
• 600ml milk
• 400ml cream
• 4 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla extract
• 150g caster sugar
• 200g dark chocolate chips
• zest of 1 orange

Method:

1. Preheat the oven to 180°C. Slice the hot cross buns in half and spread with butter. Pour the milk and cream into a saucepan and over a gentle heat warm the mixture. Whisk the eggs together with the vanilla extract and sugar until pale then add in the milk mixture, whisking well.
2. Arrange the hot cross buns into an oven proof dish then pour over the milk, egg mixture and let it soak for 15 minutes. Place the oven proof dish into a larger baking tray filled halfway up with water, sprinkle the dark chocolate chips and orange zest over the top before cooking the pudding for 45 minutes. Serve hot.

Recipe and image: DonalSkehan.com Hot Cross Bun French Toast Start your Easter morning with a luxe, late brekkie or brunch. The kids will love this recipe too... Ingredients

• ½ cup milk
• ¼ cup sugar
• 3 eggs
• 1 tsp vanilla essence
• finely grated zest of ½ orange
• 4 hot cross buns, each sliced into 3-4 slices, or use raisin bread
• 2-3 tbsp butter, to cook

Method

Beat milk with sugar to dissolve. Beat in eggs, vanilla essence and orange rind.

Dip slices of hot cross bun or raisin bread into the liquid to coat both sides. Leave to stand in mixture turning now and then, for at least five minutes or up to 15 minutes before cooking.

Heat butter in a heavy pan over a medium heat and cook hot cross bun or raisin bread pieces several pieces at a time, turning as they brown and crisp to cook the other side. Accompany with berries, banana, fresh figs and creme fraiche, or oranges, maple syrup and Greek yoghurt.

Recipe and image: Annabel Langbein

Hot Cross Bun Ice Cream Sandwiches

This is the easiest way to use up those extra buns. It's also the most popular among children...

Ingredients

• 4 hot cross buns
• Nutella
• Vanilla ice cream

Method

1. Preheat the grill to medium heat. Halve the hot cross buns horizontally and toast under the hot grill, cut-side up, for 2 minutes, or until golden.

2. Spread 1 teaspoon of Nutella spread onto the base of each, top each with a scoop of ice cream and the remaining hot cross bun halves and squash down.

Image: Woolworths

Thick Malt Hot Chocolate With Hot Cross Bun Dippers

What could be more soothing than a steaming cup of decadent cocoa? A toasted bun to dunk in it, that's what!

Ingredients

• 2 fruit hot cross buns
• 100g dark chocolate
• 4 tsp cocoa powder
• 2 tsp caster sugar
• 4 tsp malt powder (Ovaltine will work)
• 4 tsp cornflour
• 600ml skim milk

Method 1. Preheat the oven to 180ºc. Cut down into the hot cross buns at 1cm intervals and lay the slices onto a baking sheet, then bake in the hot oven for 6 to 8 minutes, or until golden. 2. Break the chocolate into chunks and place in a medium saucepan with the remaining ingredients. Place over a medium heat and whisk until all the chocolate has melted and the mixture is smooth. 3. As soon as the mixture comes to the boil, reduce the heat to low and simmer for 2 to 3 minutes or until thickened. 4. Pour immediately into four little cups and serve with the hot cross bun dippers for dunking. Recipe and image: Woolworths  Hot Cross Bun French Bacon Cheese Toastie A savoury option? Oh yes, and one that'll blow your socks off. Pour a glass of Malbec and pop this under the grill to enjoy in front of the TV... Do you have a hot cross bun recipe we should know about? Share it with us on Twitter @GerFamilydotie.