I can't remember the last time I bothered to make hot cross buns but I was inspired by Paul Hollywood (again... I know!) this morning
I did get into a bit of a sticky mess with the dough which was quite wet, but persevered
And I'm rather glad I did. The chopped apple is an unusal addition but he was right... it made them very moist and tasty... I've just had one warm and buttered with a cuppa!
I only made a couple of changes - the chopped peel (which I detest... funny as I love marmalade) was replaced with chopped dried apricots and in the absence of any apricot jam in the house I used a jar of homemade gooseberry jam that was lurking in the fridge to glaze them. Seemed to work.
Last year on Good Friday I was in New Zealand with my Mum and Joe. We didn't realise all the supermarkets shut in NZ on Good Friday, plus you cannot buy alcohol anywhere... not even in restaurants. We hadn't stocked up on provisions so we ate an evening meal of crisps, apples and some chocolate which was all we managed to buy. All washed down with tea while we played cards! Yet we had one of the best evenings of the holiday and laughed til we cried. I think the food might be better this year... and there is wine chilling in the fridge!
Mum, helpless with laughter on Good Friday last year... not sure why she was wearing Joe's sunglasses indoors!
Giggling here - I made hot cross buns today too. They taste fine but don't look any where near as gorgeous as those!! What a lovely happy pic of your Mum. Happy Easter. x Jo
ReplyDeleteI made spiced buns, hadn't got the energy to faff about putting a cross on them and they taste good anyway.
ReplyDeleteI make my own candied peel now and it is much better than the stuff you buy, which I loathe. I save up peel in the freezer and then when I have enough, cook it in the slow cooker for a few hours. Once cooked through I add a heavy syrup to the mixture and cook again. It is quite tangy and I just use a mix of any citrus peel. If you like marmalade, then you will probably like this sort.
They look good! I never have made any.
ReplyDeleteThat is a super picture of your Mum, the kind that stays in your mind.
Happy Easter to you and your family.
I have just finished saying to my daughter that we didn't have any hot cross buns today, yet again I wish you lived nearer . Yours look delicious. :)
ReplyDeleteI can't believe that it has been a year since your trip!
Wishing you a lovely Easter Gina! :)
V xxx
They look gorgeous! Must confess not to having made them since my own school days. School broke up yesterday and I have yet to venture into the kitchen to bake, but I have a list. I love the picture of your Mum and the sun glasses were probably needed because of the brilliant hand of cards she must have had!
ReplyDeleteHave a great weekend.
xx
They look AMAZING!! Amazing. I hate peel too. Disgusting.
ReplyDeleteAnd what a fabulous picture of your ma. Happy Easter to you, Ax
have not made hot cross buns for years, I really must make them again as I have never been able to find really yeasty ones here.
ReplyDeleteI'm sure Paul Hollywood would approve of your Hot Cross Buns.
ReplyDeleteThat's a lovely photo of your Mum enjoying herself last year. Perhaps food isn't as important as we might imagine for a celebration - it is far more important to be in the right company.
I stuck with tradition and made Good Housekeeping recipe, with chopped peel (love it!) and mixed it in the Kenwood so didn't have to get sticky! Love the photo of your Mum - you'll remember that for a very long time
ReplyDeleteI guess I'm an odd-ball ... I do like the peel and LOVE hot cross buns. I was to make some today too, but discovered there was not enough flour in the cupboard for buns AND pie ... pie won out.
ReplyDeleteLove the photo of your mom ... it makes me smile, like when you hear someone having a really good laugh and although you have no idea what they're laughing about it makes you laugh too ;D Happy Easter! Wendy
They look delicious!
ReplyDeletexxx
I''m with you, - peel? Euckk!
ReplyDeleteMay I compliment you on your glossy buns. I toyed with the idea of baking cakes today, but managed to resist the urge. I'd only have eaten them.
Gina, once again I am admiring your baking skills. There's no way that I will be baking my own hot cross buns before Easter, but yesterday i did find some reasonably delicious hcb's at a local bakery cafe. I bought two (they were petite) and gobbled them up later that afternoon with some cups of tea.
ReplyDeleteI agree with some of the other comments that it's hard to believe that a year has gone by since your wonderful trip. The photo of your mom is terrific.
Happy Easter! xo
Your Hot Cross Buns look yummy Gina. Have a wonderful Easter!
ReplyDeleteI watched the Paul Hollywood programme too. It all looked very delicious, as do your hot cross buns. Hope you have a very happy Easter! Ann
ReplyDeleteHave you tried his pitta bread recipe out of his 'How to Bake' book. They are miles better than bought, miles better.
ReplyDeleteOh those hot cross buns look lovely - bet they tasted delicious too. We can have them in your shop !!!
ReplyDeleteI love the pic of your mum. You'll look just like her when you are older won't you. She looks so happy.
ReplyDeletethey look yum Gina. I've got addicted to Warburton's hot cross loaf. I could eat the whole thing at one sitting - not good at 100 cals a slice lol. strange to think how different things were this time last year. did look fun though. Happy Easter to you. x
ReplyDeleteA bit late, happy easter, the buns look yummy!
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