Hello lovelies,
I feel like hot cross buns are abit like marmite, people either absolutely love them or loathe them. I don’t feel like there’s an inbetween.
Me & my family? We love them!
When hot cross buns finally hit the stores around January time, you best believe we’re getting a packet each week with our food shop to enjoy whilst they’re around.
I have previously shared my very own hot cross bun recipe which you guys loved. However, I am aware that they aren’t the quickest to make, which leads me to today’s recipe…
{ My Recipe: https://ellegracedeveson.com/2021/03/07/hot-cross-buns-recipe-easter-bakes/ }
Whilst having a scroll online recently, I came across a brand who had shared a hot cross bun muffin recipe and as you can imagine, it immediately caught my attention.
It takes little to no time to make, bake and decorate and has all the incredible flavours of a hot cross bun – erm, yes please!
As you can imagine, I quickly brought the ingredients and got my butt into the kitchen and made a batch. Wow. Guys, these are sensational! I couldn’t not share these with you all asap as they are THAT good.
You hot cross buns lovers out there who haven’t got enough time to make proper batch of hot cross buns but would like a bake that tastes incredibly similar which takes half the time – look no further, this recipe is for you.
{ The Original Writers Recipe: https://www.bonnemaman.co.uk/recipes/hot-cross-chocolate-muffins }
So, if the sound of these muffins has got you curious and you want to know more, you know the drill by now. Keep on scrolling below and you’ll find today’s recipe.
Category: Sweet Treat, Easter
Servings: 10 Muffins
Prep Time: 20 Minutes
Bake Time: 20-25 Minutes
Decorating Time: 10 Minutes
Overall Time: 60 Minutes
Ingredients You Need For The Muffins:
- 145g Of Mixed Fruit
- Zest & Juice Of 1 Large Orange
- 1tbsp Of Ground Cinnamon
- 1tbsp Of Mixed Spice
- 190g Of Self-Raising Flour
- 1/4tsp Of Bicarbonate Of Soda
- 100g Of Unsalted Butter, Melted
- 125ml Of Buttermilk
- 1 Egg
- 100g Of Caster Sugar
- 10tsp Of Chocolate Hazelnut Spread
Ingredients You Need To Decorate:
- 50g Of White Chocolate, Melted
How To Make The Muffins:
- Firstly, gather together your equipment and ingredients, line a muffin tin with 10 muffin cases and preheat the oven to 180C / 160C Fan / Gas Mark 4.
- Secondly, in a large mixing bowl, mix together the 145g of mixed fruit, zest and juice of one orange, 1tbsp of ground cinnamon and 1tbsp of mixed spice until evenly coated, then set to one side to soak for 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, in a separate large mixing bowl, whisk together the 190g of self-raising flour, 1/4tsp of bicarbonate of soda, 100g of melted unsalted butter, 125ml of buttermilk and 1 egg until combined.
- Once the fruit has soaked, fold the fruit into the muffin batter until evenly distributed throughout.
- Put two generous tablespoons of muffin mixture into the base of each muffin case.
- Next, using a teaspoon, spoon 1tsp of chocolate hazelnut spread on top and then cover with the remaining muffin batter.
- Place the muffins into the oven to bake for 20-25 minutes, until well risen and firm to touch.
- When baked, remove from the oven and allow to sit in the muffin tin for 10 minutes before transferring the muffins onto a wire rack to cool further.
How To Decorate:
- In a microwaveable bowl, add the 50g of white chocolate, place into the microwave and in 10 second blasts, blast the chocolate until fully melted.
- Once melted, transfer into a piping bag, snip the very tip of the piping bag off and pipe a cross on top of each muffin.
- Finally, allow the white chocolate to set and before serving.
That’s your Hot Cross Bun Muffins soaked, prepared, baked and decorated, ready for you to enjoy this Easter.
Notes:
- Store in an airtight container at room temperature for 3-4 days.
- I would recommend heating the muffins up for a gooey chocolatey centre, however they taste just as yummy cold.
- I used this chocolate hazelnut spread from Aldi’s: https://www.aldi.co.uk/product/nutoka-hazelnut-spread-000000000000650887 but any chocolate hazelnut spread will work perfectly.
If your a hot cross bun lover, you need to try these asap!
I just adore how unbelievably easy these are to recreate, how little time they take to make, bake and decorate and how utterly delicious the finish bake is. Honestly, what’s not to love?
Oh and not forgetting the added sneaky surprise of hazelnut spread in the centre – WOW! it’s just too good.
Huge shoutout to the original writers of today’s recipe, it’s been a HIT in my household and will certainly be in yours too.
Let me know in the comments below if you make these muffins yourself and if you do, what your thoughts are on them. Do these taste like hot cross buns to you? Did you enjoy the chocolate centre?
Sending you all tons of love & hugs as always,
Elle xo
