Hot Crossed Buns

Ahh… star-crossed buns — the tragic, flour-dusted lovers of the baking world. 🥀

Forbidden by yeast, divided by glaze… yet destined to be devoured.

Let’s bake them anyway.

⭐ Star-Crossed Buns (Hot Cross Buns with Drama)

Ingredients

For the buns:

1 cup warm milk

2 ¼ tsp (1 packet) active dry yeast

¼ cup sugar

¼ cup melted butter

1 egg

3 to 3½ cups flour (360–420 grams of flour

12.5–15 ounces)

½ tsp salt

1 tsp cinnamon

½ tsp nutmeg

½ cup raisins or currants (optional but traditional)

For the “cross” (their tragic symbol):

½ cup flour

5–6 tbsp water (to make a pipeable paste)

For the glaze (their sweet, fleeting happiness):

2 tbsp sugar

2 tbsp water

Optional: splash of vanilla

Instructions

1. Wake the yeast (cue dramatic music)

Mix warm milk, yeast, and a pinch of sugar. Let it sit 5–10 minutes until foamy.

If it doesn’t foam… your buns are already doomed. Start over.

2. Make the dough

Add:

Remaining sugar

Melted butter

Egg

Salt & spices

Stir in flour gradually until you get a soft dough. (I added the weight of flour, as when I followed this recipe, I just about broke my Kitchenaid Mixer as there was way too much flour.  If this happens to you, add more warm milk and/or melted butter, to get a soft dough)

Knead 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic (think: “forbidden love tension”).

3. First rise (their secret meetings)

Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise about 1 hour, until doubled.

4. Shape the buns

Punch down dough (alas, cruel fate).

Divide into 12 pieces and shape into balls.

Place in a greased baking dish so they’re just touching.

Let rise again ~30–45 minutes.

5. Pipe the crosses

Mix flour and water into a paste.

Pipe crosses over each bun.

6. Bake

Bake at 375°F (190°C) for 18–22 minutes until golden brown.

7. Glaze (bittersweet ending)

Simmer sugar + water until dissolved.

Brush over warm buns for a shiny, irresistible finish.

Optional Twists (because every tragedy has alternate endings)

Add orange zest for a citrusy romance

Swap raisins for chocolate chips (modern reboot)

Drizzle icing instead of flour crosses for a sweeter vibe

Final Note

Serve warm, preferably while dramatically whispering:

“Parting is such sweet sorrow… especially with butter.”

My results are not picture perfect like a bakery, but if smells count, they are perfect!

Dangerously Gooey Brownies

Ahhh… you’ve just unlocked the legendary tier. These are the brownies that don’t just bend the rules—they melt them into a chocolate puddle and dare you to resist.

🍫🔥 Dangerously Gooey Oil Brownies (a.k.a. “Fork Required, Dignity Optional”)

Ingredients

1/2 cup (120 ml) vegetable oil

1 1/4 cups (250 g) sugar

2 large eggs + 1 extra yolk (this is where the magic happens)

1 tsp vanilla extract

1/2 cup (50 g) cocoa powder (yes, more chocolate = better life choices)

1/2 cup (65 g) all-purpose flour

1/4 tsp salt

1/4 tsp baking powder

3/4 cup chocolate chips or chunks (don’t hold back)

Optional chaos upgrade:

1/4 cup sweetened condensed milk or a handful of caramel bits

Instructions

Preheat to 350°F (175°C). Line an 8x8 pan (trust me, you don’t want to scrape these out later like a crime scene).

Whisk oil + sugar + eggs + yolk + vanilla

Beat it like it owes you money—2–3 minutes until thick and glossy.

(This gives you that shiny, crinkly top.)

Stir in cocoa, flour, salt, baking powder

Mix gently—just until combined. The batter will be thick and borderline dramatic.

Fold in chocolate chips

At this point, it should already look illegal.

Pour into pan

If using condensed milk or caramel, drizzle or swirl it through the batter like a dessert Picasso.

Bake 18–22 minutes

Edges set, center still slightly jiggly.

If you think, “Are these underdone?” → Perfect. Pull them.

Cool… somewhat

20–30 minutes if you want slices.

5 minutes if you want a molten chocolate experience and zero regrets.

🧠 Gooey Science (a.k.a. Why This Works)

Extra yolk = richer, fudgier, silkier texture

More sugar + oil = less structure, more melt-in-your-soul softness

Short bake time = center stays luscious instead of cakey

⚠️ Warning Label

These are not “pack in a lunchbox” brownies.

These are “sit down, grab a fork, and question your self-control” brownies.

May cause spontaneous happiness and suspicious silence in the room.