Introduction
Look, we get it—weeknights can feel like a whirlwind of emails, errands, and the eternal question of “What on earth am I going to eat?”
Enter: the humble hot cross bun, but not just any bun. We’re talking about a vegan superstar that’s ready to cozy up your kitchen and your taste buds without any animal products crashing the party.
Imagine biting into a soft, spiced bun that’s just sweet enough to make you forget it’s good for you too. It’s like the plant-based version of comfort food giving you a warm, sassy hug.
Whether you’re a seasoned vegan, a curious flexitarian, or someone just looking for a weekend baking project to impress your friends (and yourself), these buns are your new best mate.
They’re perfect for when you want something that feels a bit fancy but isn’t going to have you glued to the stove for hours. Plus, they come with that playful cross on top—because even buns deserve a bit of drama.
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp ground flaxseed (vegan magic binder)
- 300ml plant-based milk (moo-free goodness)
- 50g vegan margarine
- 500g strong bread flour
- 1 tsp salt
- 75g caster sugar
- 1 tbsp sunflower oil
- 7g sachet fast-action yeast
- 75g sultanas
- 50g mixed peel
- zest of 1 orange
- 1 apple, peeled, cored and finely chopped
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 75g plain flour
- 3 tbsp apricot jam
Whip up these ingredients for a bun that’ll have everyone saying, “You knead this in your life!”
Whether you’re vegan, flexitarian, or just bun-curious, these plant-powered goodies are as welcoming as a warm oven.
Get ready to spice up your snack game with some seriously sweet, spice-loving buns!
How to Make It
Alright, let’s get those vegan Hot Cross Buns rolling! Start by making your flax egg – this is your plant-powered magic trick that keeps everything together without any eggs. Just mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed with 3 tablespoons of warm water, give it a good whisk, and let it sit for about 15 minutes. This little potion thickens up nicely, so it’s perfect for binding your dough.
Meanwhile, heat up 300ml of your favorite plant-based milk until it’s just about to boil, then toss in 50g of vegan margarine. Let it cool down a bit—because nobody wants to burn their fingers or kill the yeast with scalding milk.
Now, grab a bowl and pile in 500g of strong bread flour, 1 teaspoon of salt, 75g of caster sugar, and a 7g sachet of fast-action yeast. Make a cozy little well in the center and pour in your warm milk and butter mixture along with that flax egg you just made. Mix everything up with a wooden spoon until it starts to come together, then jump in with your hands to form a dough. It’s a bit like a messy hug for your future buns.
Sprinkle some flour on your surface and knead the dough for about 5 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic—think stretchy, but not too sticky, like a good plant-based yoga session.
Once your dough is feeling just right, it’s time to fold in the goodies: 75g sultanas, 50g mixed peel, the zest of one orange, a finely chopped apple (peeling and coring optional, but who wants apple bits in their teeth?), and 1 teaspoon of ground cinnamon for that warm, cozy vibe. Knead those in gently so they’re spread out like little surprises in every bite.
From here, you’ll want to let your dough rise somewhere warm and draft-free until it doubles in size—patience, my friend, is key to fluffy buns. Then it’s on to shaping, proving, baking, and eventually devouring these vegan delights. Trust me, your taste buds will thank you.
Bonus Tips
- Sneak in some chopped nuts or seeds for a surprise crunch—because who said vegan buns can’t have a little attitude?
- Swap the apricot jam for a drizzle of maple syrup if you want your buns to bring that sweet, sticky sass to the party.
- If patience isn’t your virtue, toss the dough in a warm spot with a cozy blanket (aka your oven light) and watch those buns puff up like they mean business.
Why You’ll Love It
These vegan hot cross buns are like a cozy hug from a plant-powered friend—comforting, sweet, and just a little bit cheeky.
They whip up faster than you can say “flax egg,” making them perfect for last-minute cravings or impressing your brunch squad without breaking a sweat.
Plus, they’re packed with fruity goodness that’ll have your taste buds doing a little happy dance.
Whether you’re a seasoned vegan baker or just here for the cinnamon-scented party, these buns bring all the warm fuzzies without any of the dairy drama.
Nutritional Info
These are estimated values.
Calories: 210
Protein: 4 g
Carbohydrates: 40 g
Fat: 3 g
Nutrition estimates are provided for vibe-check purposes only — they aren’t legally binding promises of eternal health or six-pack abs.
