Having four days off in a row means that you can get up to mischief. Eating your body weight in chocolate eggs and hot cross buns is one way to pass the time. Seeing friends and family is another. The only thing that presents itself as a problem to me during this blissful four day Easter break is shopping. The stores are usually closed on Good Friday and Easter Sunday so that means that even though I have two pantries full to bursting, I feel an almost warlike need to stock up on food. It’s the mere idea that I might run out of food that causes a chill.
I stockpiled rations on the Thursday and the Saturday night shopping late so that we would survive the Cruel Winter …I mean two days. I know it’s silly and doesn’t make sense but I did have Mr NQN’s brother The Assman coming over and a picnic (weather permitting) to go to so I needed the rations. After all you can’t feed guests just anything or bring something completely unfabulous to a picnic. I already had a good stash of chocolate already mainly bolstered by Mr NQN winning a gigantic Easter bunny at work as well as lots of eggs so I felt safe and comforted sitting upon my pile of goodies (and I’m sure you can picture me sitting on top of a mountain of food).
Then last week I attended a screening of Alice in Wonderland in 3D held by Lindt chocolate at the Gold Class cinemas. Anna’s post here details the fantastic evening we had as part of the Lindt Lovers program. It was a bit like going business or first class at the cinema and I could feel myself getting rapidly used to the sinking, comfortable recliners with footrest and the food, drink and dessert being brought to us. Not only did we receive our own personalised eggs but we also received bags and bags of chocolates, both Easter and regular style and we left with bags aplenty wondering whether we’d get rolled for our stash. As for the film? I adored it and it was strikingly beautiful and captivating. It still stands true that one day I’d love to raid a Tim Burton set.
So with this excess of chocolatey goodness, I remember reading a comment from reader Lexia who said “My sister makes the most amazing hot cross bun and easter egg bread and butter pudding. She makes it with broken easter eggs and and I look forward to it every year. I’m sure we break more eggs just to ensure we get some more.” It was the kind of idea where I want to high five the person or even myself when I knew that I was going to make it. I had more than enough hot cross buns courtesy of my hoarding behaviour and enough chocolate from Lindt to cause a small riot (and it makes me wonder, has there even been a chocolate motivated riot?).
I couldn’t wait for the picnic day to roll around. I would use my tried and true bread and butter pudding recipe, a simple one really, but I’d add cinnamon and nutmeg and soaked raisins to it. I took to the chocolate with a satisfying thwack with my rolling pin while conjuring up the most objectionable person I could think of (the hollow egg was satisfyingly head shaped) and whacked away with pleasure. Then I filled the baking dish with the buttered buns, the broken pieces of egg and bunny and poured the custard over scattering the soused raisins on top. I then covered it with foil so that the raisins and chocolate wouldn’t burn and sat back and waited for an hour.
After 30 minutes the aroma crept through the house, then at 45 there was a persistent come-hitherness to it and by 60 minutes it was all we could do to fling open the oven and reveal the pudding in all of it’s gorgeousness. I know brown things are notoriously hard to photograph but trust me in this pudding, it’s gloriously eggy and soft and for Easter bun and chocolate lovers. And the finishing touch? While it was warm I sank some Lindor eggs into it to fill in the gaps and dusted it with icing sugar. The Lindor egg shell would melt when we sank a fork into it revealing a dripping, gooey chocolate yolk.
So tell me Dear Reader, how much chocolate did you eat over Easter? Were you restrained or uninhibited? And what exciting things did you get up to?
Hot Cross Bun & Easter Egg Pudding
An Original Recipe by Not Quite Nigella
- 4-6 stale Hot Cross Buns, sliced in half horizontally spread with butter
- 75 grams butter extra
- 1/4 cup caster sugar
- 1 cup cream
- 4 eggs
- 1 cup milk
- 1/2 cup raisins or sultanas
- 1 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1 teaspoon nutmeg
- 100-200grams of broken chocolate Easter eggs (I used a Lindt milk bunny and 2 dark hollow Lindt eggs )
- 6 or so Lindor eggs (1 egg per person to avoid chocolate riot)
- 1 tablespoon icing sugar to dust
1. About an hour before you want to make this you can steep the sultanas in the milk and cream with the cinnamon and nutmeg added to it. Preheat the oven to 175C/350F. Butter a baking dish (I used a 31x18cm oval dish). Add the sugar to the spicy milk and sultana mix and beat in the eggs.
2. Arrange the hot cross buns on the dish – I try and keep a few whole so that the cross detail shows through. Lift the top of the buns and sprinkle in some of the chocolate so that there is a layer of chocolate on the buttered centre. Then sprinkle the rest of the chocolate on top. Pour custard on top carefully giving it a few minutes to soak in. You may not need the entire amount of custard, I had about 1/4 cup leftover but it depends on how stale the Easter buns are and these were fairly fresh.
3. Cover with foil and place on a baking tray to catch any drips. Bake in the oven for 1 hour. Fill gaps with Lindor eggs while still warm and sift icing sugar on top. Serve with vanilla ice cream.
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81 Comments | Add your own
ooooh that does look good! Not THAT much chocolate for me – but I did eat a lot of hot cross buns!
Lorraine
So. Good.
I have just returned from cruel interval running. I took my hot cross bun, chocolate and seafood baggage with me. We all survived.
I am now entitled to make this recipe…
Yes, I too was caught out by the closed shops. Going out on a restocking mission this morning. I think it will be deto week this week.
Take care,
SSG xxx
I am glad that I am not the only one that “panics” when I know the supermarkets will be closed for ONE DAY ! I have that same fear.
Yum! Wish I hadn’t been so quick to scoff all my chocolate now… But then again my belly probably (definitely) doesn’t need any more sugary stuff! Looks fantastic!
Hiya,
I didn’t get into too much chocolate this Easter because I made a big batch of cupcakes – have a look see:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/80665772@N00/4489426070/in/set-72157623607323889/
and I knew I’d be getting into those come Easter Sunday. I love the thought of a scoop of vanilla ice cream on top of that pudding
nom nom. Perfect use of leftovers! Cinnamon, bread, chocolate… all good! xx
I am currently at zero Easter eggs! I just don’t really feel like them. I really like your pudding. I wonder if caramel filled eggs would retain their centre after baking. As the surprise bit of caramel when eating would be fun.
I’m just like you. A food hoarder. I worry when the shops will be closed. Even if I have plenty of food to last me and nothing else to buy!
Happy Easter, Lorraine! Watching Alice in Wonderland was a treat, but watching it in comfy chairs with a constant supply of chocolate must have been heavenly!
Oh my goodness, this sounds like an indulgent, utterly luxurious dream!!
I love the idea of this! I made a pudding with old hot cross buns, how did it not cross my mind to have some easter eggs with it as well?
And my favourite sentence in the whole post has to be “1 egg per person to avoid chocolate riot”.
Oh dear, Lorraine. That looks LETHAL – you should really bake the pudding again (I’m sure can source more buns and eggs now that the shops are open again?).
And distribute it to your readers (me! me! me!) in the next giveaway
Bread and butter pudding is such a great thing to get creative with. We had Greek Easter this weekend and my Yaya, as always, made Tsoureki which is the perfect brioche like addition to a pudding. Or it makes great French Toast… hmmmmmm, I think it might be breakfast time…
Oh that looks so good. I am such a bread and butter pudding fan and that just makes it even better! Its Easter Monday and I am yet to make it out of PJs or find breakfast – but I have had a couple of (mini) chocolate eggs!
Happy Easter, Lorraine! This is truly indulgent =) And, for once, there has been pleasant picnic-weather at Easter.
Wow, what a fantastic idea. I usually never have any hot cross buns left over, but I just want to bake some so I can make this.
I actually didn’t eat any chocolate this Easter. Don’t really do eggs/chocolate. But I certainly ate my fill of everything else.
Off to a picnic today myself. But nothing as fabulous as this to take along. Just cinnamon buns and an iced loaf!
How do you make such delightful things… I love the combination and the wonderful way it looks… ever so Mad Hatter/Red Queen. Did you know that hatters went mad because of the mercury they used making the felt for hats? No OSHA rules back then!
It may be true that brown things are difficult to photograph, but you’ve done a splendid job of it, Lorraine!!
It looks gorgeous.
Wow what a decadent dessert! Love it. Chocolate and hot cross buns must be a match made in heaven.
About three cream eggs , my share of a box of cadburys favourites , a big slice of chocolate birthday cake for mum’s 87th and a little lindt bunny . .I suppose that puts me in the uninhibited camp
Think I will put off the cholesterol check
for a couple of weeks .
Happy Easter, NQN! How blessed are those who are able to indulge in your incredible creations! I lament daily the fact that we live in different continents… xxx
We did not celebrate Easter this year due to daughter, son and grandson being gone until this afternoon. The pudding recipe looks like it would be very tasty.
Hohoho this is one awesome, rich rich rich pudding!! Great way to recycle all those easter hot cross buns and eggs! And yes, Alice in Wonderland is amazing (and Johnny Depp is adorable!)
woah. That looks insane.
Such a good idea.
I didn’t eat too much chocolate. I’ve just come off a detox so I was trying to be good-ish.
Lorraine I had one very small Lindt egg.
Easter Sunday saw my little house groaning with people – 8 adults and 6 children
lots of good wine, chocolate, great food, laughter, all over 9 hours -
this was one of the best Easter Sundays I have ever spent!
I love receiving your email post each morning thank you
Gosh! That looks… amazing! I haven’t eaten that much – watching the kidlets scoff enormous amounts all day long kinda put me off a bit
Today there will be rationing!
Oh my, I’m not sure..are those hollow chocolate eggs? I don’t think we have those here. That is so amazing and I’m full. You managed to capture brown at its best and put your own girlie touch to it. And, your husband won a chocolate bunny? You are all too lucky!
Surprisingly, I don’t think I had any chocolate this Easter! I visited family that is trying to teach their 3-year-old to cut back on candy…but I may have to make this anyway! What a great recipe to use up leftovers.
All the chocolate. I am in heaven.
OK Lorraine, how do I get into your ‘club’? lol. All these amazing offers and giveaways, I’d be in seventh heaven.
Pudding looks great, we’ve tons of chocolate eggs left over because of the two grand-daughters staying with us , so I’m off to buy some hot cross buns. Have eaten way too much chocolate over Easter and probably gained some of the kilos I worked so hard to lose
Back to the treadmill for me !
Oh wow, firstly i’m insanely jealous of the Alice experience – I can’t wait to see it & to get buckets of Lindt chocolate too *sigh*
Secondly I must have that pudding!
As for chocolate, I received SFA unfortunately
Ah Lorraine, this recipe came a day late… I just finished eating the day-old hot cross buns yesterday. Yeah, I’ve been wondering what to do with them chocolate eggs. Your recipe rocks!
Perhaps, next Easter I can make this accompanied with Bourbon sauce. Yummy.
Oh, this looks fabulous! And I haven’t had nearly enough chocolate today. I don’t think Easter has officially passed until I’ve had a good old fashioned chocolate overdose.
Ooo! If that was a triple chocolate pudding instead of the hot cross bun –> artery clogging goodness!!!
Rain, rain go away…
You are what I call an inspired cook and artist! Wonderful creation! Wish I had it for Easter!
Happy Easter! This is a very exquisite dessert for this special occasion
Sawadee from Bangkok,
Kris
I can totally picture myself sitting on top of a pile of food. Or swimming through it kind of like Scrooge McDuck. My chocolate consumption hasn’t been too bad. My friend Shelly goes to Australia every year around Easter and brings back the most amazing little M&M like candies. The coating on the outside is rough like superfine sugar and the chocolate is so much better. I’m waiting until they (hopefully) show up to indulge.
Hmm I’ve been pretty restrained this year, but considering I went to the supermarket looking for half price eggs (mmm, half price chocolate) I think I am looking to stockpile my own stash of deliciousness.. sadly there was none to be found!!
Hey are you going to the Easter Show or have you already been? Would love to hear of your exploits.
I find that if I restrict myself to only eating the very best dark chocolate, that naturally reduces my intake and I can survive this season reasonably healthy! This explosion in chocolate hot cross buns of all kinds is a disaster though!
Genius! I’ve made hot cross buns this year… i guess the leftovers are destined to be a delicious pudding
You’ve photographed them beautifully Lorraine. I can just imagine the enticing smell of baking chocolate and the moist chocolate gooeynees from that pic!
What a great idea. I have some left over hot cross buns and a tonne of caramel filled eggs. I wonder how that would taste. Isnt Tim Burton Fantastic. I heard all about this event. I wish I was there. Once you go goldclass you never go back. Its the best way to watch a flick.
The movie was indeed wonderful and so is this creation. I’ve never heard of a chocolate motivated riot but I think in a small province in the Philippines there was hot cross bun/easter egg pudding riot! LOL!
Happy Easter!
(And, oh, my: that is the most decadent bread and butter pudding ever!)
One of my favourite childhood desserts is Bread and Butter pudding – my mum used to put a layer of brown sugar on the bottom which would turn into a caramel-like sauce under the custard.
As for me, I had a dairy-free Easter this year, thanks to my 3 month old baby who is having trouble with dairy protein in my milk. My sis-in-law gave me some dairy-free chocolate (if you can call it that!), but then I discovered that the dark Lindt bunny my hubby was given was Dairy-free – Hallelujah! I was straight up to the supermarket today to see if I could get some more in the post-Easter sale, but there were none left…
Definitely bookmarking this recipe for next Easter!
Oh Lorraine…you put me on a chooclate high, alomst like a hang-over but too virtual!! I love it, as I also love the shopping emotions! Yay for you… that looks like the best Easter post I’ve seen so far!!
Happy Easter!!
Wow that looks so decadent, but such a good idea with leftover Easter goodies!
http://www.gourmettraveller.com.au/tetsuyas-tokyo.htm
Tetsuya’s view of Tokyo, how cool!
Oh, you would have loved the Tim Burton exhibition I went to (and blogged about
, but sadly photos were forbidden) at MOMA in December!
Wish I could see the gooey insides of this pudding – it sounds heavenly! As for Easter… would you believe there was no chocolate? Me + no chocolate? On Easter? Times are tough…
These look sinful …
seems that I need to bake another batch of Hot buns for this recipe… Lovely for a picnic or children party.
thanks for sharing…
Enjoy and have fun in your picnic
This bread pudding looks both adorable and delicious! I’ll have to try it next Easter!
I’m glad you had such a sweet Easter! Get it?
nifty and delicious idea. i think this is one case when the thing done with the leftovers is better than the original foods!
Oh my food gods Lorraine! I’ve currently eaten too much Lindt to contemplate making this, but I can imagine it was amaaazing! I’ve also wanted to try Jamie Oliver’s hot cross bun pudding, but am yet to do so. Maybe next weekend when I can no longer face the stash of hot cross buns I’ve squirrelled away in the freezer.
Miss B x
http://agirlastyle.wordpress.com/
My word, Lorraine! This is pure decadence! Love it
Now I know what to do with all the hot cross buns my mom’s been hoarding! This pudding is gorgous, especially with the pretty chocolate eggs on top. I’m glad you liked Alice in Wonderland, I’ve heard mixed reviews and have been debating whether or not to see it…I think I will!
The pudding looks absolutly amazing.A nice chocolate addition
to Easter
chocolate always looks good – especially this one – though I was curious to see how it looked inside – guess I really should try it for myself – though hot cross buns taste so good that I just eat my way through them – and those I can’t eat I freeze and eat later
Hope you had a happy easter, I love that pudding. I’d like to see Alice but it’s bit scary for Ted!
I think I need to dig out all the chocolates in my backyard to make this…. hope the bunnies didn’t get to it first.
I actually got given a selection bag of wee chocolate eggs (and rabbits and ducks) this year, it was BLISS
. I’m attempting to ration myself a little bit, but it’s not going well…
Hot Cross buns make a WONDERFUL base for bread and butter pudding – I’ve a stash of reduced and probably slightly stale ones in the freezer for future pudding making
Love it =)
I still have leftover eggs (from my 1kg sack) but no buns as I made my own and they’re all gone.
I thought I was so clever by making a hot cross bun and butter pudding, but this is even cleverer! The perfect solution for those who can’t choose between having an egg or having a hot cross bun.
What a great idea…I do a Christmas bread and butter pudding with Panettone…frankly the only use for Panettone!
Hol-ay smokes, that’s one epic Easter treat! Quite glad I’ve run out of chocolate and easter buns to get up to any mischief.
I loved your comments about shop closure anxiety. I feel the same thing every year and because I am not as organised as you, found myself on both Good Friday and Easter skulking around trying to find an open shop to get some random baking ingredients.
Efforts to locate suet on Easter Sunday (to make a Mrs Beeton pudding – natch) were unsucessful, but I did find a cache of dried fruits at a Middle Eastern grocer on Good Friday, perfect for homemade hot cross buns. Yum.
Your pudding looks amazing. Will definitely be trying that sometime!
Hi Lisa-thankyou!
Aren’t you good! Well done! 
Hi Sydney Shop Girl-Hehe you are too funny SSG
Yes it’s a week of detox for me too! xxx
Hi Kim-Hehe great minds fear alike!
Hi Rosa-Thankyou so much! Hehe scoffing quickly is all part of the fun!
Hi Toni-ooh fantastic job! I love them!
You must be so proud Toni!
Hi Liss-hehe thankyou!
xxx
Hi Mark-You’re so good! Oooh I don’t know, they may burst but that would be a good thing and you could add more afterwards too!
Hi Melissa-Hehe I know! It’s just a couple of days but I act like it’s a whole winter or something
Hi Celia-Happy Easter Celia!
It was an amazing evening! Alice and chocolates-heaven!
Hi Julie-Hehe thankyou so much!
Hi Su-yin-Thankyou!
Hehe it was only at the suggestion of a reader that I thought yes what a great idea! 
Hehe trust me, whoever doesn’t get an egg gets surly 
Hi foodwink-Hehe absolutely! what a great idea!
Hi Miss Emma Louise-that looked amazing! The figs and the French toast looked so good!
Hi Ange-Thankyou!
Hehe that’s perfectly acceptable on a day off! 
Hi mlle délicieuse-Happy Easter!
Hehe yes we were pretty lucky most days this long weekend! Hope you had a gorgeous one 
Hi Julia-Thankyou!
Hehe yes this is contingent on having some leftover. Hehe well that’s a good thing-I wish I was more like that! They sounds delicious! 
Hi deana-Aww shucks thankyou deana!
Hehe I love that comparison! 
Oh really? I had no idea, how fascinating! You always know such cool stuff! 
Hi Amanda-Aww thankyou! I thought I was going mad there
Hi Heather-Hehe thanks so much! I think they are a perfect couple!
Hi tonybalone’sDaughter-hehe that’s the camp I’m in and it’s a fun camp! Yes give it a couple of weeks
Hi Angela-Thankyou darling!
I know, I wish you lived nearby! xxx
Hi Julia-Ahh I see! Thankyou very much!
Hi Trisha-Thankyou so much! Isn’t he so sweet in it-Not hot in it but sweet and funny
Hi Marlo-Why thankyou! I need to go on one now!
Hi Marelle-Oh very restrained Well done! Aww sounds like you had a perfect Easter full of love and warmth!
Thankyou so much!
Hi Red Dirt Mummy-thankyou so much!
Hehe that’s too funny 
Good idea!
HI Angela-Oh really? You don’t have hollow ones at all? I thought they were common
Hehe thankyou! I know, a huge chocolate bunny-he was rather chuffed!
Hi Kirstin-Oh really?
You are so good! I wish I could say that but sadly I did the opposite 
Thankyou!
Hi Mary-thankyou!
Hi Matilda-hehe I wish I had my own club of chocolate lovers!
Ahh it’s good to have a bit of indulgence and then back on the treadmill 
Hi Phunk-It was a great experience I have to say! Oh no, none at all?
Hi Tuty-Ahh well! There’s always next year!
thankyou and yes Bourbon sauce is a great idea!
Hi Mary Poppins in Heels-thankyou!
Hehe that’s a good way to judge when Easter is over! 
Hi aimee-hehe now that sounds much more dangerous! :O
Hi tasteofbeirut-aww thankyou so much Joumana!
Hi bake in paris-Happy easter to you too Kris! Thankyou so much
Hi Deanna-Hehe it’s easy and blissful to imagine! Oh really, I wonder what they’re called!Hmmm I’m intrigued now!
Hi Lulu-Oh no had they sold out already?
I did go as a matter of fact and you may have seen my story already by now 
Hi Moya-hehe yes you will have to have self control around this!
Hi Christie-thanks darling!
Hi foodie-central-thankyou so much!
Hi Katherine-I bet it would rock!
I know, it’s so hard to go back down!
Hi trissa-Hehe did you lead it?
Hi Midge-Happy Easter Midge!
Aww thankyou! 
Hi Cindy-Oh lucky you to get something! Sorry to hear about your 3 month old having trouble with dairy protein!
Wonderful! 
Hi deeba-Hehe thankyou! You are so sweet!
Hi Parita-Happy Easter to you too!
Hi jess-Oh fabulous, thankyou
wow I didn’t realise that he liked Ginza that much! 
Hi Hannah-I know, oh how I would have adored it! *sigh*…No way surely not!
Hi Arlette-hehe thankyou!
Your hcb’s looked fantastic!
Hi Allison-hehe I hope you like it!
Hi Blond Duck-Hehe you are a classic Duckie!
Hi grace-Thankyou so much! Aww you are too kind!
Hi Miss B-Ooh I bet it’s good!
Hehe yes a good idea-give it a little distance 
x
Hi Krista-Hehe thankyou Krista!
Hi Faith-Haha! Yes! Thankyou so much! I loved it although I had heard that others didn’t like it. I adore Tim Burton films though!
Hi Portuguese Kitchen-Thankyou very much!
Hi Johanna-I couldn’t scoop it out before the picnic as it would have looked strange I think serving it
Hi Sarah-thankyou! I hope you had a fabulous! Ahhh yes it’s quite visually arresting!
Hi penny-Hehe naughty bunnies!
Hi wenchie-Hehe well beset of luck! I tried that too but failed sadly
Thankyou! Ahh they’re perfect for this! 
Hi angie-thankyou!
They must have been good!
Hi Conor-Yes indeedy! Because one should never be asked to choose!
Hi Tenina-Yes pannetonne is usually so dry isn’t it!
Hi Emma-Hehe yes although there’s next year to get up to mischief!
Hi Emily-Oh yes, and thankfully there’s the occasional shop that will be open but it won’t stock anything out of the ordinary! Great stuff that you found some supplies! thankyou so much!
OMG that pudding looks devine as i love hotcross buns and chocolate!! havnt the time at the min to make it so just going to melt all my left over eggs now and make a good old choccy cornflake cake
mmm i cannot wait!! i wish that hotcross-chocolate-cake would magically appear right infront of me noww 
Thanx for the fab idea, will deffinetly have to try it x x x
Lorraine, how many eggs (chicken) are you using for the custard? There aren’t any listed in your ingredients.
How funny – I, too, confess to flying into a sweating panic at the thought of closed shops at Christmas and Easter. Rational thought plays no part in the shopping trips at that time of year! That pudding looks sensational – you truly are a genius!
Waw!!! I am truly stunned by your creativity, my dear!
The pud looks fabulous!!!
MMMMMMM,…
Great recipe, Lorraine! I love recipes that make use of leftover holiday ingredients. The less that goes to waste, the better (not that chocolate ever EVER goes to waste around me XD).
That is amazing! Sure beats my Cadbury Creme Egg cupcakes.
The post-Easter 50% off chocolate sales mean I imbibe the most on Easter Monday. I suck.
Thanks for jolting my memory – I often make (in winter) a similar bread and chocolate pudding with left over fruit loaf http://bit.ly/VfyTX .
Now I know what to do with all that Lindt that Sarah sent me in the mail last week
I am trying to follow the recipe but where does the cream and sugar come into it?? Seems you have missed the whole making of the custard segment?
Hi Angeline-it’s not missing, the custard making is there in the first step.
Wow, very talented for sure and what great photos, nice presentation.
I want to make this on Sunday but I think Angeline is right, I can’t see where the cream is used?
Hi Kat and Angeline! Sorry I have amended it
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