Paul A Young Hot Cross Bun Brownie
We review a lot of Paul A Young chocolates round here, and his brownies are a recurring theme. You could argue that they’re not technically brownies, but honestly, who wants a technical brownie?
Paul’s take on a brownie is a gooey, fudgey and messy piece of heaven. It’s soft, squidgy and moist, and melts in the mouth almost like a ganache.
As well as his standard brownie, he makes a lot of variations on the theme. We recently saw a Valentines brownie with chipotle and a Christmas brownie mince pie.
This, as you may have guessed, is his Easter offering for 2013. A brownie based on the traditional hot cross bun. As well as the distinctive cross on top, the brownie is made with raisins, currants, candied orange and lemon peel, port, brandy and spices.
As you might expect, it’s absolutely delicious. The fruits and spices work particularly well with the 70% dark chocolate used in the recipe.
Yet as fabulous as this brownie is, it still makes me a little sad. A couple of years ago, Paul came up with what is probably my favourite foodstuff of all time – his Billington’s Simnel Brownie. This brownie was made with vine fruits and big chunks of marzipan, and was absolutely divine.
The Hot Cross Bun Brownie has replaced the Simnel Brownie this year, and although I’m told you can still by Simnel Brownies in Daylesford Organics in Selfridges, I can’t easily get hold of them. And as fantastic as the hot cross bun version is, I want my Simnel Brownie back!
When I mentioned my disappointment on Twitter, Paul did tweet back, offering to make a limited edition Chocablog brownie…
We could always make a limited edition @chocablog only one!
— paul.a.young (@paul_a_young) March 20, 2013
I’m sure he was joking and simply wouldn’t have the time, but if he ever did, I would love a brownie with all the fruit from this brownie, at least double the amount of marzipan of the Simnel brownie, and maybe a little alcohol to make it especially gooeylicious.
I can but dream.
Paul A Young Hot Cross Bun Brownies can be bought from his three London shops. They are not available to buy online, but you can usually arrange delivery if you call the shop.
Information
- Contains dark chocolate (70% cocoa solids).
- Filed under brownie, easter, paul a young, uk.
Yeah I loved the simnel brownie too, though also wanted double the amount of marzipan. If Paul makes you a special batch, hoping he can spare one for me!
That sounds evil! Deliciously evil…
If he makes it, I’ll send you one. 🙂
You can make the Simnel ones yourself! The recipe is online ..
That’s a damn fine looking brownie. The cross just adds a little something.