Kitchen Projects for Easter Weekend

THERE WILL BE BUNS

Coming in hot next week is a loooong Easter weekend (first bank holiday of the year, everybody!), which means three important things will be happening: 1) Lots of chocolate 2) Hot Cross Buns and 3) a bit of extra time to bake.

No matter how you mark or celebrate it, I usually find there’s plenty of people milling around on Easter, so here’s a few of my favourite seasonal bakes to get into from the Kitchen Projects archive. Every recipe comes with instructional GIFs and a deep dive into the ‘why’ of the recipe, so I hope you’ll jump into one of these classics! Happy baking.

Hot Cross Buns

An absolute classic. And I’m so proud to say that I remake my recipe every year (third year running!) and I still think it’s the best I’ve ever had. See for yourself! Click here for the recipe.

If you don’t fancy making your own, Le Swine, purveyors of Britain’s best bacon butty, are back with the Hot Cross Bacon Bun kit this year! The bun is made with my recipe and each kit contains everything you need to make the dreamiest breakfast:

Inside there’s 2 x HUGE hot cross buns, Le Swine’s signature bacon butter, a special date & fennel ketchup and 4x slices of the most fabulous middle bacon. It’s such a treat when everything arrives at your door ready to go. Click here to order in time for Easter! Cut off for delivery is 12pm on Tuesday.

Simnel Cake

Simnel Cake is an absolute easter classic and is CRIMINALLY under appreciated. Fortunately for you, *RIGHT NOW* on KP+, Elizabeth Kerr of EK Bakery is teaching us all about the glorious, rich, almond paste layered dream cake. Click here to read it!

And, btw, if you don’t fancy making your OWN Simnel cake, EK bakery is doing postal cakes that are available nationwide. This iconic Easter cake is available in letterbox AND full size, so check out their website for more details. I mean, what’s better than a slice of cake through your letterbox?! https://ekbakery.co.uk/

The HXB extended family

There’s nothing I love more than an HXB adjacent bake and I’ve got a LOT of them. Let’s run through the whole family tree shall we?

Hot Cross Custard Buns

Tender swirls of dough with a spiced custard filling. What’s not to love? Click here for the recipe.

Hot CROISSANT buns

What do I love more… puns or buns? Tbh, I love both equally. Luckily with this bake you don’t have to choose. Spiced laminated dough with flecks of raisins and mixed peel and folded to show off all those layers. It’s what hot cross buns would wear to the met gala. Click here for the recipe

HXB cookies

The ooiest, gooiest version of HXB out there: Cookies. Fudgy, chewy, sticky. It’s definitely the fun young cousin of the HXB family. Check em out here.

Easter snacks + desserts

Once the buns have been eaten, you’ve still got room for dessert right? Here’s my favourite projects for afternoon tea or to revive you from a post-lunch slump.

Little Lamb religieuse

I’m never not obsessed with these little lamb religuese - a stack of choux buns filled with pistachio and citrus. Absolute winners! Read all about them here.

Lemon butter biscuits

Nothing screams Easter like a pastel palette. Serve with tea to energise yourself ahead of an egg hunt. Recipe here!

Frangipane tarts

Any bakes that involves rhubarb AND miniature chicks is a 10/10 from me. Refresh your memory on frangipane tarts and learn about blind baking (or the lack of) with this recipe. Click here to make it!

Pistachio gateau basque

Another springtime palette special - this time ft pistachios! Crumbly but rich pastry stuffed with custard. A perfect post lunch dessert. Click here for the recipe.

Chocolate desserts

If there’s anything that deserves a place right at the heart of your easter table, it’s something outrageously chocolately. Here’s a few options:

Baked chocolate tart

Four ingredients. Gooey middle. Go!

Dairy-free ganache tarts / truffles

Outrageously rich and plant based friendly (when paired with a vegan pastry). Click here for the recipe