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Recipe

Orange & Ricotta Hot Cross Bun Cake

30
Mins
Prep time
2
Mins
Cook time
12
Serves

Transform leftover hot cross buns into a showstopping treat with this no-bake cake! It's incredibly simple to make yet will create a stunning dessert or afternoon tea

Bread & Grains
Dairy
Fruit
Sweet Treats
Vegetarian
Orange & Ricotta Hot Cross Bun Cake

This orange and ricotta hot cross bun cake is an easy use it up recipe that transforms leftover hot cross buns and Easter chocolate into a no-bake dessert. It’s perfect for when you have buns going stale and need a clever way to avoid food waste. You can easily layer syrup-soaked buns with creamy ricotta and chocolate, turning post-Easter leftovers into a cake. You can swap the chocolate for any leftover sweets you have or use whatever dried fruit, nuts, and citrus are in the pantry. So, when you’re facing leftover hot cross buns and Easter treats that need using, give this orange and ricotta hot cross bun cake a try!

Need

1 Orange (zest and juice)
100g Caster sugar
2 ½ Cups ricotta
Chocolate (we used leftover easter chocolate)
50ml Milk
40g Icing sugar
10 Hot cross buns
100g raisins (optional)
Handful dry apricots (optional)
Handful of unsalted nuts (optional)

How

  1. Juice and zest one orange. Add water to the juice to make 100ml total. Combine with caster sugar in a small pot and simmer for 2 minutes. Remove from heat, stir in the zest, and allow to cool completely.
  2. In a mixing bowl, combine ricotta, milk, and icing sugar until smooth. Fold in most of your nuts, dried fruit, and crushed chocolate, reserving some for garnish.
  3. Slice hot cross buns horizontally. Place a springform tin (without base) on your serving plate. Arrange bun slices in the tin, brush generously with orange syrup, then spread with ricotta mixture. Continue layering syrup brushed buns and ricotta until ingredients are used, finishing with ricotta on top. Garnish with reserved nuts, dried fruit, and crushed Easter eggs.
  4. Place in the fridge to set for at least 2 hours. Unclip the tin to serve – Enjoy!
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