My very first taste of a warm hot cross bun arrived during the springtime of my second year in Ireland. We were invited over to a friend’s home in the countryside for an afternoon garden party. It was a beautiful sunny day and her husband had baked loads of delicious goodies to share with us. I recall that we all sat perched on blankets surrounded by daffodils happily feasting upon hot cross buns, brownies and tiny slices of Simnel cake whilst sipping copious amounts of Ceylon tea under the canopy of a crayon blue sky.

It is a magnificent memory to say the least, and I was again reminded of it this year when I began seeing hot cross buns in the markets for Easter. I decided I would try my hand at making a batch and perhaps swap currants and sultanas for something a little different.

Hot cross buns are sweet, yeast-leavened, spiced buns made with currants or raisins, often with candied citrus fruits marked with a cross on the top. The cross can be made in a variety of ways including: of pastry; flour and water mixture; rice paper; icing; two intersecting cuts. They are traditionally eaten at Easter in Ireland and the UK.

These yummy yeasty buns are generally not as well known in America, so I was delighted when I stumbled upon a Martha Stewart  recipe for hot cross buns. I substituted sour cherries, toasted almonds and a touch of cardamom to her instructions. The end result is still spicy and sweet and just as special…if not a little unique.

After all the ingredients are mixed together,

the dough is kneaded on a floured surface

to ensure cherries + almonds are distributed evenly

Using a pastry sleeve to pipe on the icing crosses is easy and makes less of a mess

I came across this sweet little tidbit while doing my research on these lovely treats: Sharing a hot cross bun with another is supposed to ensure friendship throughout the coming year, particularly if “half for you and half for me, between us two shall goodwill be” is recited at the time.

Goodwill and Slan Abhaile,

Imen

Photos and Styling by Imen McDonnell. Assisted by Sonia Mulford Chaverri.

 

 

 

Tags: Easter, food, foodie, hot cross buns, Imen McDonnell, married an irish farmer. ireland, Martha Stewart, simnel cake