A Deliciously Decadent Hot Cross Bun and Nutella Pudding
Forget the plain old toast; it’s time to elevate your Easter leftovers into something truly spectacular. This recipe transforms those beloved hot cross buns into a rich, comforting pudding that’s perfect for a leisurely weekend brunch or a delightful dessert. We’re talking about a warm, gooey centre, a crispy golden top, and the irresistible combination of chocolate-hazelnut spread and sweet custard.
This dish is surprisingly simple to put together, making it an ideal project for the whole family. The magic lies in letting the hot cross buns soak up a luscious custard before baking them to golden perfection. Paired with a scoop of creamy vanilla ice-cream and a scattering of fresh, tart raspberries, it’s a taste sensation that will have everyone asking for seconds.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
- 6 hot cross buns, split horizontally
- 1/3 cup Nutella
- Vanilla ice-cream, for serving
- Fresh raspberries, for serving
For the Luscious Custard:
- 6 large eggs, brought to room temperature
- 1/4 cup caster sugar
- 1/3 cup Nutella
- 2 cups milk (full cream works best for richness)
- 300ml carton pure cream
- 2 teaspoons vanilla bean paste (or good quality vanilla extract)
Getting Started: Preparing Your Pudding
The first step to pudding perfection is to prepare your baking vessel.
Grease Your Dish: Lightly grease a round, ovenproof dish. A dish that’s approximately 26cm in diameter and 5.5cm deep, with a 10-cup capacity, is ideal. This ensures the pudding won’t stick and will release beautifully.
Assemble the Buns: Now for the fun part! Generously spread the cut sides of your hot cross buns with Nutella. Arrange these Nutella-covered halves snugly into the prepared dish. You want them to fit together nicely. For a visually appealing finish, place a bun top in the very centre of the dish. This will form a lovely focal point once baked.
Crafting the Silky Custard
While the buns are settling into their dish, it’s time to whip up the rich, creamy custard that will bind everything together.
Combine Wet and Sweet: In a large jug, whisk together the room-temperature eggs, caster sugar, and the remaining 1/3 cup of Nutella. Whisk until the mixture is smooth and well combined.
Add the Creamy Goodness: Pour in the milk and the pure cream. Add the vanilla bean paste. Whisk everything together thoroughly until you have a uniform, luscious custard mixture. The vanilla bean paste will add those beautiful little flecks and an intense vanilla flavour that complements the Nutella perfectly.
The Soaking and Baking Process
This is where the magic truly happens, as the buns absorb the creamy custard and transform into a delightful baked treat.
Pour and Soak: Gently pour the prepared custard mixture evenly over the arranged hot cross buns in the dish. Ensure all the buns are well-covered.
The Crucial Soak: Lightly cover the dish with greased foil. This helps to keep the top of the pudding moist during the initial soaking period. Allow the pudding to stand for at least 1 hour. This essential step allows the hot cross buns to fully absorb the custard, creating a wonderfully soft and yielding texture.
Bake to Golden Perfection: Preheat your oven to a moderately slow temperature of 160°C (140°C fan-forced). Place the foil-covered dish into the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes.
Uncover and Continue Baking: After 30 minutes, carefully remove the foil. Continue to bake the pudding, uncovered, for a further 40 minutes. You’re looking for the custard to be set in the centre. To check, gently lift the centre bun top – it should feel firm, not wobbly.
Rest and Serve: Once baked, remove the pudding from the oven. Let it stand for about 15 minutes before serving. This resting period allows the custard to fully set and makes it easier to serve.
Serving Suggestions
This Nutella Hot Cross Bun Pudding is best served warm. Ladle generous portions into bowls and top with a scoop of your favourite vanilla ice-cream. The contrast between the warm, rich pudding and the cold, creamy ice-cream is simply divine. Finish with a scattering of fresh raspberries. Their bright, tart flavour cuts through the sweetness of the pudding and Nutella, providing a refreshing counterpoint and a beautiful pop of colour. Enjoy this delightful twist on a classic!
