Spice Up Your Spring: Vegan Hot Cross Buns That Will Wow!
Spring is in the air, and what better way to celebrate than with a batch of warm, fragrant hot cross buns? But hold on, we're not talking about your average, run-of-the-mill buns. Oh no, we're diving headfirst into a world of plant-based deliciousness with these vegan hot cross buns!
Forget those dry, bland supermarket versions. These buns are packed with flavour, thanks to a medley of spices, zesty orange, and a generous helping of juicy dried fruit. And the best part? They're surprisingly easy to make, even for novice bakers.
A Symphony of Flavors
Now, let's get real for a minute. Traditional hot cross buns can be a bit...well, boring. But not these! We're kicking things up a notch with a blend of warm spices like cinnamon, ginger, nutmeg, cardamom, and a hint of clove. It's like a hug in every bite! To avoid the dryness of some dried fruits, we're soaking the sultanas in Amaretto for a truly indulgent experience.
We're also adding a secret weapon: stem ginger! If you're not a fan, you can swap it out for dried apricots or your favorite dried fruit. The result is a perfect balance of sweet, spicy, and fruity.
Easy Peasy Baking
Don't be intimidated by the thought of making bread. These hot cross buns are easier than you think. We're not adding cold butter like scones. We just combine all the dry ingredients, mix in the wet and knead it until smooth. Simple!
Once they're out of the oven, they're light, fluffy, and slightly sweet – a far cry from any bland store-bought bun. They are perfect toasted with a dollop of vegan butter and a smear of apricot jam. Trust me, you won't be able to stop at just one! These are perfect for a delightful breakfast, a mid-morning snack, or a sweet treat anytime the craving hits.
Get Your Bake On
Ready to ditch the store-bought buns and embrace your inner baker? Let's get started!
Yields: 12 buns Prep time: 30 minutes Cook time: 20 minutes
Ingredients:
- 500g / 4 cups wheat flour (50% bread flour and 50% all-purpose works great)
- ½ tsp salt
- 7 g / 2 ½ tsp instant dried yeast
- 75 g / 6 tbsp caster sugar or coconut sugar
- 3 tsp spices (1 ½ tsp cinnamon, ¼ tsp ginger, ¼ tsp nutmeg, ¼ tsp cardamom, ¼ tsp cloves)
- Zest of 1-2 oranges
- 100 g / ½ cup sultanas soaked in 60 ml / ¼ cup liquid (Amaretto or orange juice)
- 100 g / ½ cup finely chopped stem ginger or dried apricots
- 60 g / ¼ cup applesauce
- 50 g / ¼ cup coconut oil (or other neutral oil) or vegan butter, melted
- 240 ml / 1 cup plant milk, warm
For the Crosses:
- 65 g / ½ cup all-purpose flour
- Water
For the Glaze:
- 1 tbsp apricot jam OR stem ginger syrup OR maple syrup
Instructions:
- Mix the Dry: In a large bowl, combine the flour, salt, yeast, sugar, spices, and orange zest.
- Add the Fruit: Stir in the sultanas (and their soaking liquid) and chopped stem ginger, ensuring the pieces are evenly distributed.
- Incorporate Wet Ingredients: Make a well in the center, add the applesauce, melted coconut oil, and most of the warm plant milk. Mix together in the center, then gradually incorporate into the dry ingredients. If the dough is too dry add more plant milk. The dough should be slightly sticky.
- Knead: Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for 10 minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic. It might be sticky, resist adding extra flour.
- First Rise: Shape the dough into a ball, place it in a lightly oiled bowl, and cover with a tea towel. Let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours, or until doubled in size.
- Shape and Second Rise: Gently deflate the dough and divide it into 12 equal portions. Roll each portion into a ball and place them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper in a 3x4 grid, ensuring they are touching each other. Cover with cling film and let them rise again for 60 minutes.
- Make the Crosses: In a small bowl, mix the flour with a small amount of water until you get a thick but runny paste. Spoon into a piping bag.
- Pipe the Crosses: Just before baking, pipe crosses on top of each bun.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown. Rotate the tray if your oven has hot spots.
- Glaze: While the buns are baking, mix jam with a little water in a saucepan to dilute it, or you can glaze with undiluted syrup. Brush the buns with the glaze immediately after removing them from the oven.
- Cool: Transfer the buns to a wire rack to cool completely.
Notes:
- For softer buns, use a 50/50 mix of bread and all-purpose flour.
- Feel free to adjust the spices to your liking. A mix of 2-3 teaspoons of spices is perfect.
- If you don't have applesauce, you can use mashed banana, or a finely diced apple with a little extra milk to compensate for moisture.
Share Your Creations!
Don't forget to tag us on social media using #AIrecipes when you make these vegan hot cross buns. We can't wait to see your delicious creations!
Enjoy!