Hello guys! 👋 How are you all doing today? I hope you’re having a lovely week and that everything is going well for you. As always, welcome back to my blog, and if you’re new here, thank you so much for stopping by and taking the time to read today’s post. I always enjoy sharing little life updates with you all before we get into the main topic of the blog, so here’s a bit of what’s been going on recently in my world.
Recently my mum had an appointment at the doctors 🥼 because we needed to get a doctor’s note to support our current housing situation. We’re really hoping this will help things move forward for us 🤞🏼 as it’s something we’ve been trying to sort out for quite a while now. While she was there, the doctor also arranged for someone to help my mum with her decompressed spine, which is something that has been causing her quite a lot of difficulty. Hopefully we’ll be getting a few phone calls from different professionals soon who can help with both situations, so we’re keeping our fingers crossed that things start moving in the right direction 🤞🏼.
Another big decision I’ve made recently is removing myself from a legal matter that has been ongoing for over two years. It’s something that has taken quite a toll on my mental health, and after a lot of thought I realised that I really needed to step back and focus on looking after my own wellbeing. My parents kindly agreed to step in and handle things on my behalf 👍🏼 which I’m incredibly grateful for. Because I’m a couple of years away from turning 30, I had to formally give my consent for them to be appointed to take over. It wasn’t an easy decision to make, but sometimes protecting your peace and health has to come first.
On a much more positive note, we recently had a lovely time celebrating my mum for Mother’s Day 👩🏻. My dad and I decided to treat her to a little night away, just the three of us, so we could forget about everything that’s been going on and simply enjoy some time together. It was honestly so nice to relax for a few hours and focus on making some happy memories. Of course, no celebration would be complete without good food, so we also got her favourite Chinese takeaway 🥡 which she absolutely loved. After all the stress lately, it was exactly what we all needed.
I’ve also been spending a bit more time in the kitchen recently experimenting with some new recipes, which has actually been really fun. Cooking has always been something I enjoy, and it’s nice to try different things and see what works. My mum even trusted me to create the meal for Mother’s Day this year because she wanted something different from our usual dishes. I’m really pleased to say it turned out to be a massive success 🥳. Not only did my mum love it and say she’d happily eat it again, but my dad enjoyed it just as much… in fact he even went back for seconds 🙃 which I’m taking as a very good sign.
We’ve also been catching up a little more in our family WhatsApp group with my sister and aunt, who are both dealing with their own things at the moment. My sister did share one slightly chaotic moment from her week though — apparently my youngest nephew managed to projectile vomit 🤮 all over the kitchen floor right after she got home from taking my older nephew on his school trip. Parenting definitely comes with its surprises! Hopefully he’s not coming down with anything. On a much happier note, my older nephew has been an absolute superstar again at school and came top of his class. He really is such a wonderful and intelligent little boy 👦🏻 and I’m incredibly proud of him.
Health-wise, things have been a little frustrating lately. I’ve been having quite a lot of trouble with my right knee, which still hasn’t properly healed since last year when I twisted it while transferring out of my wheelchair 🦽. Recently it seems to be giving way even more than before and it’s actually become noticeably swollen — almost double the size of my left knee. Unfortunately with everything else going on and so many appointments already, I haven’t yet made it to the hospital to get it checked properly. I also need to get my toe looked at because it seems like I’ve developed an infection under the nail which is causing it to bleed 😫, so that’s definitely something I’ll need to get sorted soon.
Despite all of that, my mum and I have decided to focus on something positive by going on a bit of a health kick together. We already eat fairly healthy meals most of the time, but we want to take things a step further by being more mindful about what we’re eating and adding some gentle exercises into our routines. Because of our disabilities, we’re both focusing on exercises that are tailored to what our bodies can manage safely. Our goal is to build strength, improve our overall well-being, and feel our best — especially because we both want to be as healthy as possible when we eventually start travelling around the world again 🌍.
And speaking of food and healthy eating, all this time experimenting in the kitchen recently actually inspired today’s blog post… which leads me nicely into this week’s post.
With Easter just around the corner, I thought it would be the perfect time to share a recipe for a classic seasonal treat that so many people enjoy baking this time of year. There’s something incredibly comforting about homemade baked goods, especially when they’re warm from the oven and filling the house with the smell of sweet spices.So in today’s post I’m going to be sharing a delicious recipe for homemade hot cross buns — a traditional Easter favorite that’s soft, lightly spiced, and filled with fruity goodness. Whether you’re an experienced baker or just looking to try something new in the kitchen, this recipe is a wonderful way to bring a little bit of seasonal baking into your home. 🐣🍞
Homemade Hot Cross Buns
There’s something special about baking seasonal treats, and nothing says Easter quite like warm, freshly baked hot cross buns. These soft, lightly spiced buns filled with juicy fruit are a classic Easter favorite and perfect for enjoying with a cup of tea. Making hot cross buns at home might sound intimidating, but they’re actually much simpler than you might think. The smell of cinnamon and mixed spice filling the kitchen while they bake is enough to make anyone feel like spring has truly arrived. Whether you’re baking for family, sharing with friends, or simply treating yourself, these homemade hot cross buns are soft, fluffy, and packed with flavor. Best of all, they taste incredible when served warm with a little butter.
Ingredients
For the buns
- 500g Strong White Bread Flour
- 75g Caster Sugar
- 1 tsp Salt
- 2 tsp Mixed Spice
- 1 tsp Cinnamon
- 7g sachet Fast-Action Yeast
- 300ml Warm Milk
- 50g Butter (melted)
- 1 Egg
- 150g mixed Dried Fruit (raisins, sultanas, or currants)
- Zest of 1 Orange (optional but delicious)
For the cross
- 75g Plain Flour
- 5–6 tbsp Water
For the glaze
- 2 tbsp Apricot Jam
- 1 tbsp Warm Water
Method
In a large bowl, mix together the flour, sugar, salt, mixed spice, cinnamon, and yeast.
Add the warm milk, melted butter, and egg. Mix until a soft dough forms.
Knead the dough for around 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
(If using a stand mixer, knead for around 5 minutes with a dough hook.)
Add the fruit – Knead in the dried fruit and orange zest until evenly distributed.
Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and leave somewhere warm for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces and shape into smooth balls.
Place them on a lined baking tray, leaving a little space between each bun. Cover loosely and leave to rise again for 30–45 minutes.
Mix the flour and water to form a thick paste.
Spoon into a piping bag (or small plastic bag with the corner snipped) and pipe a cross over each bun.
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Bake in a preheated oven at 200°C (180°C fan) for 18–20 minutes until golden brown.
Warm the apricot jam with water and brush over the buns while they’re still warm for a shiny finish.
Enjoy!
Serving Suggestions
Hot cross buns are best served:
- Warm with butter
- Toasted the next day
- With jam or marmalade
- Alongside a cup of tea or coffee
Tips for Perfect Hot Cross Buns
✨ Don’t skip the second rise – it keeps the buns soft and fluffy.
✨ If the dough feels sticky, add a little flour but not too much.
✨ These buns freeze really well, so you can bake them ahead of time.
Thank you so much for visiting my blog and taking the time to read today’s post. I hope this recipe inspires you to try baking your own hot cross buns at home this Easter season.
If you do give this recipe a try, I’d love to hear how they turn out. Wishing you a wonderful day, and as always, stay safe and take care.
Peytons View 