It’s that time of the year again, when the aroma of freshly baked hot cross buns fills the air when you walk into your favourite supermarket or bakery.
The raisin-and-currant-filled buns are an Easter tradition and thousands of hot cross buns will be sold on the days before Easter and on Good Friday. What better time to put a simple spin on hot cross buns this Easter?
Courtesy of the Libstar Family, below is a simple and quick recipe for a chocolate hot cross bun bake that will put a sweet end to your Sunday.
Chocolate hot cross bun bake
Serves: 4-6
Ingredients
6 Woolworths hot cross buns – your favourite variety
42g unsalted butter, at room temperature
3 large free-range eggs
1 tsp vanilla paste
75g caster sugar
35g cocoa powder
300ml fresh cream
150ml milk
100ml strong coffee
Vanilla ice cream for serving
Robertsons dessert topping sauce
Robertsons Decadent Delights luxury toppings, for serving
Method
Slice the hot cross buns in half and butter each half with an even amount of the butter. Arrange the halved buns in a lightly greased 28 x 23cm baking tray and set aside.
In a large bowl, whisk together the eggs, vanilla paste, sugar and cocoa powder until combined. Set aside.
Place a saucepan over medium-low heat and gently warm the cream, milk and coffee. Stir frequently so that the milk and cream do not burn. Once the liquid is hot and small bubbles start to form around the edge of the pan, remove it from the heat.
Pouring very slowly, whisk the hot liquid into the egg mixture. It’s important to pour slowly and whisk quickly so that the hot liquid doesn’t scramble the egg.
Carefully pour the combined mixture over the prepared hot cross buns. Using your hands, press the buns into the liquid to cover them. Allow the buns to soak up the liquid for 15 minutes.
Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 170ºC.
Once the buns have been standing for 15 minutes, bake the pudding for 50 to 60 minutes. Keep a layer of foil on hand to place over the top at the 25-minute mark if it begins to brown too quickly.
Remove the pudding from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes. Serve warm with ice cream.
Finish with Robertson's dessert topping sauce and sprinkle over with Decadent Delights luxury toppings.