A Traditional Sweet Treat for Easter: Hot Cross Buns

At Hive we celebrate Easter in a big way. With all of the colorful fun, candy and bunnies gracing everything in our Home store from napkin rings to children’s backpacks, we did also want to take a moment and remember the more traditional and deeper significance of the holiday.  This was why when our Executive Pastry Chef, Amber Felton, was planning the menu for Hive Bakery & Cafe’s Easter offerings with hand decorated cookies, carrot and other cakes in pastel hues and adorable chick cupcakes, something seemed to be missing.

And then the idea came for Hot Cross Buns, so simple and traditional, we almost forgot about them.  Hot Cross Buns have been a part of Easter since the 1300s in England when they were eaten on Good Friday to mark the end of Lent. It proved to be a perfect project for Amber as they combine the two very different kinds of baking she spends most of her time on, creating fresh bread and rolls daily, and much sweeter, and more adorned cakes, tarts, pies and pastries.

Amber had actually never made a Hot Cross Bun and at first, she thought she would use a 100% naturally leavened process; however, the first batch came out denser than she wanted. Since she was looking for light and fluffy, she went with a combination of added yeast and a starter for the depth of flavor that only comes from using a starter for natural leavening.  Next, she decided to make a milk-based roux called the Tangzhong method, to give the buns extra suppleness. Then on to the flavorings, she blanched the orange peel three times to remove all of the bitterness, and the peels became translucent, then she added the chopped orange peel, with some homemade marmalade, along with currants and cinnamon, deciding to forgo cardamom as it’s not personally a favorite of hers.  After baking the buns were brushed with simple syrup for a lovely shine. For the last touch the classic white cross decoration, Amber chose royal icing to give the buns a satisfying little crunch.

We hope you enjoy this traditional taste of Easter we are offering this week.  If you would like to pre order Hot Cross Buns or other Easter & Passover treats please email info@hivebakeryandcafe.com or call (561) 360-2196.  Of course the pastry case and bread wall will be well stocked as well if you would like to come in, see our selection and pick up any items to go.

Wishing you all the blessings of the season,

The Hive Bakery & Cafe team