Vegan Hot Cross Buns

 

Tell us honestly, why do you love Easter? Is it the chocolate or the Hot Cross Buns?

Why not both!

We all love when Easter comes around and Hot Cross Buns are back in season, available everywhere you turn. But, have you ever tried baking your own? Impress your family these holidays with homemade, vegan Hot Cross Buns, they’ll never want store brought ones ever again!

Plus we’ve included options for creating either the traditional fruity version or a chocolate filled version!

 

INGREDIENTS:

• 300ml unsweetened almond milk
• 50g dairy-free spread
• 500g strong white bread flour
• 7g sachet fast action yeast
• 70g golden caster sugar
• ½ tsp salt
• 2 heaped tsp ground cinnamon
• 2 heaped tsp mixed spice
• 1 large orange, zested OR 1/2 cup of vegan dark chocolate drops
• 70g sultanas

For the Cross:

• 70g plain flour

For the Glaze:

50g Apricot Jam (or any other jam/ without for chocolate version)

METHOD:

1. Put the almond milk in a saucepan over a medium heat. Once simmering, add the spread, remove from the heat and allow to melt. Set aside to cool.
2. Mix the flour, yeast, sugar, salt and spices in a large mixing bowl. Make a well in the centre and pour in the milk mixture, swiftly combining with a wooden spoon to create a sticky dough. Tip out of the bowl onto a lightly floured surface.
3. Knead the dough by stretching it back and forth on the surface for 5 – 7 mins or until smooth, springy and elastic. Shape into a ball and put into a lightly oiled mixing bowl. Cover and leave in a warm spot to rise, for 1hr or until doubled in size.
4. Turn the dough back onto the surface and flatten. Spread the orange zest/ chocolate drops, and sultanas onto the dough and knead again until everything is well distributed. Form into a ball, return to the bowl, cover and leave to rise for another hour.
5. Line a large baking sheet with baking parchment. Knock the dough back by turning it out onto your surface and gently punching out the air. Divide the dough into 12 even-sized pieces, weighing for accuracy if you like. Roll each one into a ball. Arrange the buns on the baking sheet, leaving a 2cm space between each one. Cover with lightly oiled cling film and leave to rise for 45 mins.
6. Heat the oven to 220C/ 200 fan. To make the cross, in a small bowl, mix together the flour with 1 tbsp of water at a time to create a thick, pipeable paste. Spoon it into a piping bag fitted with a small round nozzle and pipe crosses on the buns. Transfer to the middle shelf of the oven and bake for 15-20 mins or until deep golden brown.
7. Meanwhile, gently heat the jam in a small saucepan over a low heat to loosen. Pass through a sieve to remove any lumps. Once cooked, brush the warm jam over the tops of the buns. Set aside to cool a little before eating.

 

These crowd favourite, bingable goodies are only around once a year, take advantage of it!