Happy Easter! Just popping in to say Hi, and happy days for those who celebrate and to show off my Osterkranz, which is a sweet, challah-like bread that is perfect for Easter Brunch and coffee time. Hefezopf/kranz (braid/wreath) always remind me of my Oma and Opa…. and he would have been proud at how this one turned out. A little sweet, a little vanilla-y and surprisingly light. This one is sourdough, but if you search on the CSPS site, there is a yeast-based version as well.
Here we are on Easter weekend, and as most years, I bake some Hot Cross Buns, most years with a new twist. This year, I went with a sourdough, no surprise, with a touch of lemon as my spice and golden raisins. I know, I know, raisins are controversial, so substitute whatever dried fruit that you like — I am also a big fan of tart cherries and/or diced dried apricots. The sourdough came out well though, very similar to my brioche-style danishes. Great with breakfast or tea…. or really, do you need an excuse to have a hot cross bun?
Beginning to find my Spring / Easter-ish baking inspiration, just in time, I might add. Here is something happy: Spring M&M Cream Cheese Sugar Drops. They are mostly just drop cookies (a la Toll House Chocolate Chip), but they have a bit of cream cheese in them, which makes them just have s bit of tang. And of course, I overloaded the batch with two who bags of M&Ms (not one to do things by half measure). Colorful and festive and brings out the child in me. Something to add to your Easter Egg hunt, or to stash for yourself?
Right then, I had one more sweet thing to make for St. Patrick’s Day 2023, and here it is. Leprechaun Balls !!! Get your mind out of the gutter, they are just homemade truffles/chocolates with a healthy dose of Jameson Whiskey. They are rather amusing to me, so I will continue to call them Leprechaun Balls, and try not to choke on them as I eat said Leprechaun Balls. 🙂
