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?
breads
King Arthur Baking’s Irish Brown Bread
I know that everyone and their brother makes soda bread around this time of year, and I am no different. This time, I made it with wholemeal flour, so a little darker, a little more rustic and really really quite flavorful. A nutty flavor, for sure. Not very sweet at all, so would go great with a sharp cheddar too. I’ll be back to sourdough making soon enough, but this was great for this week! This is the recipe from the KA site and that is also where I got the wholemeal flour.
What to make for breakfast on Valentine’s Day? These for me, myself and I! Delicious and oh so delicious warm out of the oven, just waiting to be devoured. These are supposed to look like hearts in a circle, and I suppose that they do, and have been making the rounds on social media in the lead up to Valentine’s Day. These could also be made with Cardamom instead of cinnamon, or even raspberry jam or chocolate.
It’s to be very cold here in the Northeast this weekend, starting like now-ish. Considerably below zero, with considerable wind and thus, bitter windchill. The weather people are advising not to hang out outside too long, and that translates to “stay in and bake” in my world, which is what I am firmly intending to do, starting with these Sudeg Kardemommesnurrer (Swedish Sourdough Cardamom Swirls): a sweet, brioche-style dough, filled with a brown sugar – cardamom filling, babka’ed by slicing open length-wise and then twisting, then swirling upon itself. Definitely smells amazing in my flat so while these cool for a few minutes, I will revel in that.
Alice in Wondoughland, my sourdough started, had gone into hiberation for a few weeks whilst I was in Germany, but she’s all thawed out and ready to rise again! First up: these super fluffy Honey Cinnamon Sourdough Brioche Sweet Rolls. Definitely something to have for breakfast, but not nearly as sweet or sugar-overload like a cinnamon bun (don’t get me wrong; I love those too, just in a different way. Great fresh out of the oven with a bit of butter.