bread/recipes

Miffy Hot Cross Buns

Posted March 27, 2018 by Stephanie

I set out to make Miffy hot cross buns, I did, but sometimes the best intentions and all that…Long story short, my Miffy buns turned out not so hot and not so cross because bunny buns with raisins in them just don’t look right. So, I scrapped the hot cross bun idea and just went with straight up soft and fluffy Miffy buns.

How to Make Miffy Hot Cross Buns | www.iamafoodblog.com

I have to confess, the only reason I was going to make hot cross buns is because of Easter. I’m actually not really a huge hot cross bun fan. I know the song, but aside from that and eating the random bun or two (usually when it’s a free sample), I’m not a huge hot cross bun fan.

How to Make Miffy Hot Cross Buns | www.iamafoodblog.com

How to Make Miffy Hot Cross Buns | www.iamafoodblog.com

How to Make Miffy Hot Cross Buns | www.iamafoodblog.com

To me, Easter is all about the chocolate, Easter eggs hunts, and bunnies – like Miffy! Miffy, if you don’t know, is an adorable story book bunny created by the Dutch artist Dick Bruna. He wrote a series of children’s books that are quite popular. I love Miffy’s shape and definitely own quite a few Miffy things so I thought I’d make some Miffy shaped food so I could have more Miffy in my life.

How to Make Miffy Hot Cross Buns | www.iamafoodblog.com

How to Make Miffy Hot Cross Buns | www.iamafoodblog.com

Hopefully, come Easter, someone (by someone I mean me) will wake up and find an Easter basket full of Miffy things left by the Easter bunny (by that, I mean Mike). But, in reality, we’re going to probably be skipping out on Easter this year because we’ve got a bunch of things on the move, literally. We’re in the middle of doing some major spring cleaning/Marie Kondo-ing and I’m really, really looking forward to a more minimalistic lifestyle. Even if that means no ham because we won’t have anything to bake it in. Heehee.

How to Make Miffy Hot Cross Buns | www.iamafoodblog.com

Anyway, these fluffy buns are the base bun I use here. Essentially they’re the same, except shaped into Miffy. All you need to do is divide the dough up and shape. Her face is a simple ball and her ears are ovals that are tucked underneath. A quick bake in the oven, then you get to pipe melted chocolate on her face, which is blessedly simple: two eyes and an X for her mouth. Too cute!

How to Make Miffy Hot Cross Buns | www.iamafoodblog.com

How to Make Miffy Hot Cross Buns | www.iamafoodblog.com

What are you guys doing for Easter? I hope there’s ham and cheesy scalloped potatoes!

fluffy bunnies and Easter eggs,
xoxo steph

Miffy Bunny Buns Recipe
makes 7-8 bunnies


  • 120 grams water, warm
  • 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
  • 250 grams bread flour
  • 30 grams sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 25 grams butter, at room temperature
  • melted chocolate, for Miffy faces

Sprinkle the yeast onto the warm water. Let proof.

In the bowl of your mixer, stir together the flour, sugar and salt.

Whisk the egg into the yeast mixture, then add to the dry ingredients. Use a wooden spoon to mix until it comes into a ball and then switch to a dough hook and knead until the dough pulls away cleanly from the sides.

Add the room temperature butter and continue to knead, about 10 minutes, until the dough reaches the windowpane stage – take a piece of dough about the size of a golf ball and stretch it out between your fingers and thumbs. If you can stretch it without the dough breaking, you’re good to go.

Transfer to a clean bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Place in a warm spot and let rise until doubled, about 1 hour.

Take the dough and tip it out onto a lightly floured surface. Punch down lightly then divide into 2, with one slightly larger than the other. With the larger ball, divide into 8 – these will be the faces. Divide the smaller ball into 16 – these will be the ears. Cover loosely with plastic wrap so they don’t dry out.

Roll out 8 portions of dough and bring the edges towards the center and tucking into balls. Place on a parchment paper lined pan, very well separated, as they will rise/spread. Cover with plastic wrap as you shape the ears from the other 16 pieces. Roll into slight oblong shapes and tuck underneath the faces. Make sure everything is covered with plastic wrap and let proof for 1 hour.

Heat the oven to 356°F. Brush the buns with egg wash before baking, if desired. Bake for 15 minutes, or until golden brown. Let cool completely, then use melted chocolate pipe on eyes and an x for Miffy’s mouth. Enjoy!

Note: I often find myself scaling recipes and having things call for 1/2 large egg. I usually whisk a whole egg in a small bowl, then measure out 1 1/2 tablespoons of the whisked egg. Save the remaining egg for egg wash, if desired.

13 Comments

  1. Natalie says:

    Oh my goodness these rolls are adorable!!!

  2. Silvia says:

    They’re sooo cute!!

  3. Suzanne says:

    super sweet looking!!!
    Happy Easter!!!

  4. Paloma says:

    They are so adorable! I will try this for my nieces, they will love it! ;)
    Thanks for sharing and have a Happy Easter!

  5. Rebecca says:

    I love these so much! I’m traveling and left my scale at home but will try and do the conversions because I totally want to make these for tomorrow!

  6. these are so cute – I want to try making them but maybe after I have had my fix of baking hot cross buns!

  7. pag says:

    Hi there! Would it make a difference if I used instant yeast as opposed to active dry? I love Miffy so much – super excited to try these out.

    1. Stephanie says:

      it will totally work! enjoy the miffies!!

  8. Simran says:

    Can I double the recipe? Also would the buns bake properly if I made them smaller?

    1. Stephanie says:

      hi!
      you can double the recipe easily and if you make them smaller they will take less time to bake, please check on them at 10 minutes :)

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