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Original poster

Has anyone here ever made their own Hot Cross Buns?

33 replies

Carmenere · 25/02/2009 11:35

I am tempted but have come across lots of very different recipes and some of them are a real faff. Does anyone on here have an easy recipe?

OP posts:
Original poster
Carmenere · 25/02/2009 12:03

Bump

OP posts:
Coca · 25/02/2009 12:04

I made Nigella's once from Feast I think

wilbur · 25/02/2009 12:05

I have made them, and yes, they are a faff. They were delicious, but then so are ones from Sainsburys. I am a huge baking fan, have even made my own crumpets, but I think some things are meant to be bought.

Original poster
Carmenere · 25/02/2009 12:05

Oh yes? How did they work out?

OP posts:
Coca · 25/02/2009 12:06

A little hard! That may be down to me rather than the recipe!

PinkPussyCat · 25/02/2009 14:39

Coca I made those Nigella ones too, and they turned out hard! Never bothered again after that. It's not just you

toomuchapplepie · 25/02/2009 14:45

I've done the recipe from one of Hugh F-W's books but others are right in that they turn out a bit hard but, turn it into a couple of long loaves and is lovely. Still a major faff though

MyEye · 25/02/2009 14:50

did this from delia last year, very easy -- if you have a breadmaker

MyEye · 25/02/2009 14:52

(used my usual flour/yeast though rather than the sort she prissily recommends)

Rubyrubyruby · 25/02/2009 14:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

TinaTuna · 25/02/2009 14:54

Yes i made some - was it delia?
they were ok.

missblythe · 25/02/2009 14:58

I did the Delia ones, was a mega faff and they were an utter disaster.

M&S here I come.

stinkymonkey · 25/02/2009 20:14

Made some last year using the breadmaker. Never again -life's too short.

Original poster
Carmenere · 25/02/2009 20:19

lol so the general concensus is don't bother then?

OP posts:
marymoocow · 25/02/2009 20:22

I make them every year using the recipe that came with the breadmaker. Fantastic.

nannyL · 25/02/2009 21:32

yes

i made them about 10 years ago from a recipie card from sainsburys

they were yummy

but took ages, at least 2 DAYS...

they were good, but i decided in future i would just buy some yummy ones and use my cooking skilles to make something else that is positively much nicer when home made.

dietstartstomorrow · 25/02/2009 21:33

I make mine in in a breadmaker - not a faff at all. No more so than making normal rolls.

Much tastier too.

SuperBunny · 26/02/2009 02:01

I have no choice but to make my own since they don't have them here but I don't have a good recipe (or a breadmaker)

Does anyone have one they can share? I have tried Delia's several times but they always end up like rocks. I make bread several times a week so I really should be able to do HCBs.

alarkaspree · 26/02/2009 02:19

I have done Delia's from the Complete Cookery Course, they were great and not difficult as far as I remember. And the making the crosses bit was fun for the children, we did letters as well.

We are in the US now so, like Superbunny, will have to make our own.

SuperBunny · 26/02/2009 02:30

Hello alarka! It was that recipe that I have tried several times and they always turn out like rocks. Wonder what I am doing wrong. I bake bread all the time so should be able to do HCBs but I just can't. I know DS will love them. Have you found any mixed peel? I will have to make do without which means they will just be currant buns with crosses/ whatever on the top. Will be fun to make though.

alarkaspree · 26/02/2009 02:52

Hi! Good question. I haven't looked for mixed peel yet. But I can get marmite, earl grey loose leaf tea, and green & blacks chocolate in Manhattan so I don't despair. If I do find it I'll let you know.

Or have you considered making your own?

SuperBunny · 26/02/2009 02:57

I'm going to make the peel tomorrow

alarkaspree · 26/02/2009 03:17

Good luck!

LGoodLife · 26/02/2009 14:50

I've made peel before, it is a faff and very sticky. I also make HCBs and lots of other sweet yeast dough buns. All recipes basically similar: strong high gluten wheat flour, yeast, spices and egg/milk liquid, sometimes a bit of butter and your peel& fruit. If you still need recipe I will post it later, need to go get kids now.

LGoodLife · 26/02/2009 14:55

Superbunny By the way some of my sweet yeast recipes use extra yeast compared to bread - maybe that will make them lighter? Of are you not kneading enough? or too much? I think its ready when it feels so soft you'd want to go to sleep in it.