Hot Cross Bun Bread and Butter Pudding

Looking for a cosy something to make that is an Easter themed bake? Look no further! My hot cross bun bread and butter pudding is exactly what you need! All the yum of delicious hot cross buns, soaked in a delicious spiced orange custard and baked until golden and heavenly! The perfect Easter pudding recipe!

Easter desserts

When many of us think of Easter, we think of chocolate and Easter eggs, and all that comes with it. A very British Easter bake is the hot cross bun, traditionally eaten on Good Friday to represent the cross on which Jesus died. However, the delicious hot cross bun has now become a general Easter bake, and I dare say, a spring time treat, no longer a religious one on the whole.

Now, my family adore hot cross buns. However sometimes, as is so common with breads, we don’t always manage to eat it before it starts to stale. When this happens, my go to is to either turn it into breadcrumbs or a bread and butter pudding before it’s too late! And trust me, bread and butter pudding with hot cross buns is a dessert you really want to try!

Also, such a simple and brilliant bake to make with the kids over the Easter holidays! Why not try it, I bet you will all love it!

Hot cross bun pudding ingredients

• Hot cross buns: essential in making this dessert, I like to use the extra fruity ones for extra yumminess!
• Milk: makes up the liquid part of the custard in this hot cross buns bread and butter pudding. I normally use semi skimmed milk, but whole milk will make it extra rich!
• Double/heavy cream: gives a wonderful richness to the custard and the finished easter bun bread and butter pudding.
• Eggs: the eggs thicken the custard mixture as it bakes, giving a lovely delicate set to the whole pudding.
• Brown sugar: for sweetness and a gorgeous caramel flavour in the hot cross bun bread pudding.
• Cinnamon and cardamom: these spices bring out the delicious flavour in the buns, carrying it through the custard. It creates a wonderful comforting pudding, I would definitely not skip these!
• Vanilla: rounds off all the flavours beautifully in this bread budding with hot cross buns.
• Orange: I only use the zest of one orange in the custard, which gives it a really wonderful light flavour. If you want more orange flavour in the hot cross bun bread and butter pudding, just add a little juice or orange extract (or zest in more than one orange!).
• Salt: rounds off the flavour in the bake. You will not taste it, I promise!
• Butter: gives extra richness of flavour to the hot cross bread and butter pudding. Used in the custard and to butter in between the sliced buns.
• Sultanas: because I just cannot resist adding more fruit to this bread budding with hot cross buns!

What equipment do I need to make this Easter pudding?

• Digital kitchen scales*: I always recommend using digital kitchen scales to weigh ingredients out over using a volume based measuring system, as cups. Weighing out the ingredients is much more accurate than measuring by volume. It will ensure better baking results, so I would definitely take the plunge if you have not already. 
• Measuring spoons*: for measuring smaller quantities such as tablespoons (tbsp) and teaspoons (tsp), a set of dedicated measuring spoons is a must! These are far more accurate than everyday eating spoons, and are really easy to get hold of too.

• Baking pan*: to bake the bread and butter pudding hot cross bun in.
• Large jug*: useful to mix and pour the custard mixture in. If you do not have a jug large enough, you could also use a mixing bowl. A jug just makes for easier pouring!
• Zester*: to zest the orange for delicious additional flavour in the hot cross bread and butter pudding.
• Whisk*: used to mix all the custard ingredients together before pouring over the hot cross bread and butter pudding. You could also use a fork too, of course.

How to make hot cross bun bread and butter pudding

Making a bread and butter pudding is so easy and satisfying! Simply slice the buns in half and smear with butter before sandwiching back together again. Lay them out evenly in the baking pan, then pour over the deliciously moreish homemade custard mixture, sprinkle with more sultanas and bake! That is just how easy hot cross bun bread and butter pudding is to make!

Step 1: Lightly grease the baking pan, then set it aside.

Step 2: Cut each of the buns in half, as if you were toasting them. Spread each half with some butter (see notes for other ideas!), then sandwich them back together before placing in the prepared baking pan. Set aside.

Step 3: In a large jug, add together all the remaining ingredients except for the sultanas. Mix well to combine.

Step 4: Sprinkle the sultanas over the buns, then pour the custard evenly over the whole pan. Press down to help the buns absorb some of the liquid.

Step 5: Preheat the oven to 180C/350F, leaving the mixture to sit and soak whilst the oven heats up.

Step 6: Once the oven is hot, place the pan in the oven and bake for 25-30 minutes until the Easter bread pudding is golden and beautifully moist. Leave in the tin for about 10 minutes before serving. Serve on its own, with custard, ice cream or double cream. Enjoy!

Do I need a special pan to make this Easter bread pudding?

No you can use any pan you have that is suitable for baking! My pan measures about 9″ by 13″, so do adjust the recipe to suit the size of the pan you are using.

Do I need to butter the middle of each bun?

I love the extra flavour butter brings, so for me it’s a whole hearted yes! However you could absolutely omit the butter or use something else instead such as marmalade or even chocolate spread if you wish. The beauty of this dish is that it can be adapted to suit your tastes and what you fancy adding as extras.

How far in advance can I make this hot cross bun dessert recipe?

The beauty of this dessert is you can make it in advance and leave the whole thing covered in the fridge for up to a day. The buns will soak up all the beautiful flavours in the custard too. When ready to bake, simply preheat the oven and bake as per the recipe. It may need a few extra minutes of baking time if done straight from the fridge.

How do I store leftover hot cross bun bread and butter pudding?

If we have leftovers of this pudding, I cover it tightly with some foil and pop it back in my cool oven, still in the tin. It can be kept this way for a day or so. Reheat in the oven for 8-10 minutes at 160C/320F, or in the microwave for about half a minute.

Additional tips for making the best bread pudding with hot cross buns

• Slicing and filling the buns is optional, but oh so yummy! For variations to fill the buns, you could use marmalade, caramel, chocolate spread or even a few squares of chocolate! You could also pop in a few extra sultanas between each of the layers of bread, or mix it up with other dried fruit or nuts. Get creative with your fillings, they will all be delicious!
• When making the pudding, I only turn the oven on after the whole thing has been assembled. This allows the pudding ten minutes or so to start to absorb some of the custard before baking. Keep pressing the buns down into the custard as you wait, encouraging them to soak up more liquid.
• If you find the top of the buns (or indeed even the sultanas) are burning a little during baking, simply cover the whole tin with some foil and continue to bake,
• Leave the pudding to sit, ideally covered with some foil, for about ten minutes before serving. This allows the pudding to cool enough so no one gets burned!
• Make the pudding, without baking, up to a day in advance. The advantage this has is it will allow the bread to soak up all the delicious flavours from the custard too.
• The hot cross bun bread pudding is best enjoyed within two days of baking. Reheat either for a few seconds in the microwave or covered with foil at 160C/320F for 8-10 minutes in the oven.
• Serve with extra custard, ice cream or double cream, and include an extra dollop of your filling too if you wish!

Troubleshooting

If you have any questions about this bread and butter pudding using hot cross buns, please comment below and I will do my best to help. And do remember: if you enjoy this hot cross bun pudding recipe, please leave a rating and review below. You could even post a picture on Instagram and tag me when you share it with the world. You already know I would love to see!

More recipes from my blog for you to enjoy

Hot cross bun cookies: These tempting hot cross bun cookies will be the ones you need this Easter. Packed with sultanas, orange and cinnamon, they have crisp edges, a chewy middle, and are just divine!

Mini Egg cupcakes: Rich and deeply chocolatey cupcakes, soft and light vanilla buttercream ruffle, and delicious mini eggs to finish it off. If you’re looking for an Easter themed cupcake that everyone will enjoy, look no further: you have just found it!

Carrot cake tray bake: This tray bake is a deliciously moist and fluffy cake packed with grated carrots, walnut chunks and my delicious spice mix, then spread generously with a tangy cream cheese icing and even more walnut pieces. Not only is this a super easy bake, but it’s always a crowd pleaser!

Thanks for joining me today, my friends and happy baking! x

Recommended equipment I used *

Digital kitchen scales	Measuring spoons
Baking pan	Large jug
Zester	Whisk