Rise and Shine: Vegan Hot Cross Buns That'll Steal the Show
Hey there, fellow food adventurers! Let's be honest, the supermarket version of hot cross buns can be a bit of a letdown. You know the ones – overly sweet, kinda stale, and suspiciously long-lasting. This Easter, let's ditch those pre-packed imposters and whip up some homemade vegan hot cross buns that are not only incredibly delicious but also bursting with good-for-you ingredients.
A Vegan Twist on a Classic
Traditionally, hot cross buns are loaded with eggs, milk, and butter. But fear not, my plant-powered pals! We're swapping the eggs for applesauce (for extra fluffiness and a hint of natural sweetness), dairy milk for almond milk (keeping it light and nutty), and butter for a touch of olive oil. These simple switches result in buns that are so good, you’d never guess they’re vegan. In fact, they're so tasty, they might just convert even the most dedicated dairy lovers!
Ditching the Cross for a 'V'
Okay, so I'm a bit of a rebel when it comes to traditions. Instead of the usual cross on top, I went for a 'V' – you know, for vegan! Sure, a cross is easy to pipe, but a 'V' adds a personal touch, making it super clear at any gathering which buns are the plant-based ones. It's also a fun little nod to our awesome community. Of course, if you’re feeling particularly artistic, feel free to experiment with other shapes, maybe a little carrot or a smiling sun? The key is, have fun with it!
Get Ready to Bake!
So, grab your aprons, preheat your ovens, and let's get baking! These vegan hot cross buns are surprisingly easy to make, and the aroma that will fill your kitchen is totally worth the effort.
The Recipe
Yields: 12 buns Prep time: 30 minutes Cook time: 20 minutes
Ingredients
For the Buns:
- 250g (2 cups) strong/bread flour
- 250g (2 cups) all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ tsp salt
- 7g (2 ½ tsp) instant dried yeast
- 50g (2 oz) caster sugar
- 1 tsp cinnamon, mixed spice, or allspice
- 100g (3.5 oz) raisins/sultanas
- 50g (2 oz) unsweetened applesauce
- Zest of 1 orange
- 125 ml (½ cup + 1 tsp) plant milk (like almond milk)
- 125 ml (½ cup + 1 tsp) lukewarm water
- 30 ml (2 tbsp) olive oil, plus extra for coating
For the 'V' Topping:
- 45 g (3 tbsp) all-purpose flour
- 60 ml (¼ cup) water
For the Glaze:
- 1 tbsp apricot jam or orange marmalade
- 1 tbsp water
Method
- Mix it Up: In a large bowl, combine the flours, salt, yeast, sugar, spice, raisins, applesauce, and orange zest. Pour in the lukewarm water and plant milk, and stir. Add the olive oil and combine everything well.
- Knead Time: Turn the mixture out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes until it's shiny and smooth. If you're not familiar with kneading, watch a quick video on youtube for some pointers.
- First Rise: Place the dough in an oiled bowl, cover with a tea towel, and let it rise in a warm spot for 1-2 hours, or until doubled in size. The dough will get nice and puffy like a cloud, or a baby's cheek
- Shape the Buns: Gently punch down the dough, divide it into 12 equal parts, and form them into smooth balls. Place them on a greased baking tray, close enough to each other so they slightly touch (they'll expand during proving). Cover and let them prove for 30-60 minutes until doubled in size again. This can be a good time to stretch, do a few pushups or just watch some netflix.
- Make the 'V' Paste: While they’re proving, mix the flour and water for the topping until you have a gluey mixture. Put this in a piping bag (or a plastic bag with a corner snipped off) and pipe your 'V' (or any design) on each bun. A dot, dash or squiggle would also be cute.
- Bake: Bake the buns at 200°C (390°F) for 15-20 minutes, until they are golden brown. The smell alone will be torture, but be strong, not long now!
- Glaze: While the buns are baking, heat the jam and water in a small saucepan until the jam is nice and liquid. As soon as the buns come out of the oven, brush them with the glaze. Let them cool on a wire rack.
Serving Suggestions
Enjoy your freshly baked vegan hot cross buns warm or slightly cooled with a cup of your favourite tea or a frothy cashew latte. They’re also great with a little vegan butter or jam.
Nutritional Highlights
Each of these delicious buns comes in at about:
- 242 calories
- 11g sugars
- 3g fats
- 1g saturates
- 6g protein
- 47g carbs
There you have it! A fun, healthy, and vegan twist on a classic treat that’s sure to impress. So, what are you waiting for? Go on, get baking and let me know how your buns turned out! And if you make this recipe, please tag me on Instagram using the #lazycatkitchen hashtag and @lazycatkitchen. I can’t wait to see what you make! Happy baking!