Comments on: Fig and Sour Cherry Hot Cross Muffins

By: susan

susan — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 15:40:29 +0000

Anglophile that I am……can’t wait to ‘cross by my buns’…..am wondering, though, are British teaspoons/tablespoons the same measurement as American ones?
Thanks, Susan

By: Madalene

Madalene — Fri, 02 Apr 2010 15:39:39 +0000

Hi Susan,
Yes they are the same measurement British and American teaspoons and tablespoons. I found a great set at John Lewis.
Happy Cooking,

By: Lucy

Lucy — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 23:14:03 +0000

Definitely loving this flavourful twist on the hot cross bun – yummy! They look so pretty in their little parchment papers

By: oneshotbeyond

oneshotbeyond — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 14:24:39 +0000

never seen anything like these!

By: Ben Kirkness

Ben Kirkness — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 08:15:37 +0000

Hi Madalene

I worked in a bakery for a spell about 10 years ago, and I always loved baking at Easter – the hot cross buns scent never got old! The spices we used always set the hotcross bun to taste that little bit more special than regular sweet buns.

At the time, the ‘special spice’ was refered to as ‘melange’. It is only now when I go to reproduce that magic taste that I find melange is not a spice but (rough translation) ‘a mix’.

I cant figure out what the ‘mix’ is to get that fantastic taste!
I note that your recipe has what we would use in ‘regular’ sweet buns (mixed spice and cinnamon) – but there is something else, which I cant put my finger on. Maybe nutmeg?

Anyhow, gr8 work on your recipe – I’ll try it as my base and see if I get a flash of inspiration for the missing ingredient.

By: arugulove

arugulove — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 03:21:40 +0000

These look soooo good.

By: spice and more

spice and more — Mon, 01 Mar 2010 02:17:40 +0000

They look lovely….and I love the idea of sour cherries and figs. Yum. I love hot cross buns. I might have to try making these…but with sourdough (which is my current obsession). Thanks!

By: Barry Dean

Barry Dean — Mon, 22 Jun 2009 02:19:26 +0000

Morrisons sell fresh yeast, foil wrapped, in the chiller department. Booths (for those of us in the north) apparently sell it from the deli counter, upon request. Otherwise, try local bakeries.

PS – they look delicious, like everything on the site. Do you style/take your own photos? They’re top-quality.

Dear Barry

Thank you for the top tips for finding fresh yeast! I shall drop by Morrisons and have a look. I think your ever so lucky to have Booths up north, I like their stores.

The answer if yes, I cook, shoot, style, eat and write. Thank you for your kind remarks about the photos, you made my day! Thank you.

Happy cooking,
Best wishes
Madalene

By: Y

Fri, 17 Apr 2009 09:23:06 +0000

Those look delicious! I like the idea of the sweetness coming solely from the dried fruit. Will bookmark and try soon!

By: Lucy

Lucy — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 12:33:17 +0000

Fab recipe! Was much, much easier than I thought it was going to be. Wish my pocket had stretched to spelt flour, I used wholemeal instead, and they were a little heavy. Great flavours with the figs and cherries, it’s like my dream hot cross bun!