6 ways to upcycle Hot Cross Buns!

If you're anything like me, you love the Easter season! The shops are full of cute, and delicious treats to savour, from Easter eggs to Simnel cake and hot cross buns! However, with so much choice we are all guilty of over indulging or purchasing too many treats that we cannot eat before their best quality has passed.

Statistics show we waste 10.5 million hot cross buns every year and a majority of wastage occurs as the buns have a tendency to go stale quite quickly! However, don't throw the hot cross buns out just yet as I've come up with six ways to 'upcycle' my favourite baked Easter treat once they've passed their best.

As hot cross buns come in a big range of flavours now, some of these ideas will taste better with either a sweet or savoury versions. Of course feel free to go rogue though as I really like some of the savoury options with a salted caramel or apple flavoured hot cross bun!!

'Bread' and Butter Pudding

One of my favourite ways to use up stale bread is to whip up a bread and butter pudding, especially as it's one of my Dad's favourites! However, now I will definitely be making it with hot cross buns as well! To make this version, replace the bread in the same proportions with the equal weight in halved hot cross buns. If you don't have sufficient hot cross buns to do this, top up the weight with regular bread. I used some lovely sticky toffee hot cross buns in this, which added an additional depth of flavour. My Dad loved this twist on a classic after a Sunday roast with some custard!!

French Toast

Create and indulgent brunch dish with leftover hot cross buns by turning them into sweet and spicy French Toast dish. Slice the buns in half and then cut into fingers. Dip the strips into an egg and milk mixture and fry in a little melted butter until golden brown. To enhance their spice, sprinkle with cinnamon & sugar and serve with some fruit!

Hot cross bun treacle tart

One of my favourite desserts, due to my Nanny's impressive skill at making them. Serve it up with a twist by replacing the breadcrumbs with hot cross bun crumbs. This will give the tart a seasonal twist, and add some cinnamon spice goodness to it's flavouring as well! I actually made mine using chocolate orange hot cross buns, which blended perfectly with the orange zest and juice in my recipe too!! This was a winner with my friends and work colleagues, especially with a dollop of creme fraiche, or a bit of squirty cream like a bunny tail!

Hot Cross Bun Grilled cheese

Halve the buns and top with thinly sliced/grated cheese. Place on a baking tray and grill under and hot grill for 5-10 minutes until the cheese is bubbly and starting to brown. I really enjoyed this with some apple hot cross buns, and if you want to enhance that flavour you can even add a layer of thinly sliced/grated apple under the cheese too!!!

Hot Cross Bun Granola

This is a wonderful way to wake up in the morning and can easily be stored for up to a week for some batch prepping! Tear up your hot cross buns (2-3) and coat them in 50g melted butter, and a little sugar before baking in the oven (170C fan) for 10 mins. In a bowl combine 2 tbsp honey, 1 tsp vanilla, splash of veg oil, 50g each of oats, mixed chopped nuts & pumpkin seeds with orange zest and some cinnamon. Add to the hot cross bun pieces and bake until golden and crispy.  Once cooled, break into pieces and add some of your favourite dried fruit, like dried apricots chopped up. Serve with a dash of milk, top with yogurt and fruit for a tasty breakfast option.

Hot Cross Bacon & Egg Buns

Sweet and savoury combos can definitely be winners and this one is no exception, although I'm sure there will be some judgement on this one! Replace your usual bagel or bread with a sliced and toasted hot cross bun! Give it a go and see what you think of this quirky experimental Easter brunch, it could just be your next Easter tradition!

Did you upcycle your hot cross buns?

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