HOT CROSS BUN CUPCAKES

How cute are these??  That was my reaction when I first saw these beauties over at Not Quite Nigella’s site!  Lorraine always has amazing ideas and this was one that stuck to my mind.  I saw them last Easter and knew then that I HAD to make them.  You see, I discovered hot cross buns only after moving to Australia.  They are not something we eat in Italy… but I liked them so much that we have included them into our family’s “traditional Easter food”.  I have not tried to make the buns at home yet (maybe next year?), but these cupcakes/muffins taste just the same and are really easy to make.  Besides, who doesn’t like cupcakes?  You can make them regular or mini in size and I think they make a terrific idea for a spring/Easter buffet or picnic.  Today’s recipe is an Anglo tradition, but remember to come back for my Italian Easter recipe… I promise it is going to be a very special one!  Enjoy!

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Hot Cross Bun Cupcakes

A fun idea for this Easter: Hot Cross Bun Cupcakes!

Course: Dessert

Cuisine: Australian, British

Prep Time: 15 minutes

Cook Time: 25 minutes

Total Time: 40 minutes

Author: Recipe adapted from Not Quite Nigella

Ingredients

• 1 egg
• 125 gms – 4 oz. butter melted
• 100 gms – ½ cup sugar
• 185 gms – ¾ cup yogurt
• 190 gms – 1 ½ cups flour
• 3 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp cinnamon
• 1 tsp mixed spice
• 1 pinch of salt
• 75 gms – ½ cup sultanas or raisins
• Apricot jam
• White chocolate

Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix the egg, butter, sugar and yogurt.
2. Add the flour, baking powder, cinnamon, mixed spice, salt and sultanas and mix until just combined. Do not over mix.
3. Put the batter in a muffin pan. I use a silicone tray and I also line it with paper cups because I find it easier to take the cupcakes out of the tray without breaking them. Fill each paper cup to ¾.
   
4. Bake in a pre heated oven at 180°C – 350°F for 20-25 minutes or until a skewer inserted comes out clean. Let them cool down.
5. When cold, brush the tops with apricot jam (melt it in the microwave if needed).
6. Then melt some white chocolate and pipe it onto the top of the cupcakes to make crosses.
   
7. Let it set completely before serving.

Also, I have some fantastic news to share! Manu’s Menu has been confirmed among the Top 100 Mom Food Blogs of 2013 at Babble.com! I am soooo excited! THANKS everyone fro your love and support! 🙂 Check out the complete list, there are so many other amazing blogs to discover!