A celebrity caterer has shared three Easter dessert recipes guarantee to level up your family lunch this year - and each heroes the humble hot cross bun. 

Alex Cadger, the founder and director of The Blonde Butler, counts several high profile Aussies as clients - think The Packers, Jackie O, Roxy Jacenko and Alexandra Jakob. 

His crowd-pleasing recipes are not only guaranteed to wow your guests - but they're surprisingly simple to craft and require as few as four ingredients. 

HOT CROSS BUN ICE CREAM SANDWICHES 

Serves six 

Ingredients

Method: 

Step 1: Cut hot cross buns in half horizontally

Step 2: Toast the hot cross bun halves in a sandwich pressor grill until lightly toasted

Step 3: Let the hot cross bun pieces cool down slightly and place the bases down onto a plate

Step 4: With an ice cream scoop, place a generous scoop of salted caramel ice cream onto each of the hot cross bun bases

Step 5: Drizzle a generous amount of Hershey’s chocolate sauce over the ice cream scoop & sprinkle toasted nuts over the top

Step 6: Place the top of the hot cross bun on to make a sandwich and dust with icing sugar 

HOT CROSS BUN CROSTINI 

Serves four 

Ingredients 

Method: 

Step 1: Slice each hot cross bun into 1cm thick slices

Step 2: Toast each slice in a sandwich press or grill until golden and toasted

Step 3: Place the slices on a baking tray and into a pre-heated 160C oven for 10 mins to dry out and become crunchy

Step 4: When the hot cross bun slices have cooled, smear a generous amount of ricotta on each slice

Step 5: Place 2 small marinated Persian figs on top of each crostini and drizzle honey over the top

Step 6: Sprinkle dried rose petals over the top of each crostini and serve 

HOT CROSS BUN BREAD AND BUTER PUDDING 

Serves six - eight 

Ingredients  

Method: 

Step 1: Pre-heat oven to 160C

Step 2: Lightly grease a 20cm x 30cm baking dish 

Step 3: Cut each hot cross bun into 4 even slices and spread orange marmalade on each side

Step 4: Place each slice into the baking dish in a domino pattern ensuring each slice is overlapping

Step 5: In a mixing bowl, place eggs, cream, milk, vanilla & caster sugar and whisk together

Step 6: Pour the custard mixture over the hot cross bun slices in the baking dish and leave to sit for 15 minutes so that the mixture can be absorbed into the buns

Step 7: Sprinkle cinnamon over the top of the dish & bake in the oven for 30-40 minutes or until the mixture is set 

Step 8: Remove from the oven and allow to cool slightly before spooning a generous amount into bowls, topping with ice cream & a dusting of icing sugar