Vegan Hot Cross Buns

Ingredients:

Dough

  • 2 1/4teaspoons organic yeast
  • 1teaspoon organic sugar
  • 1/2cuplukewarm water
  • 3/4cuproom temperature/lukewarm unsweetened organic non-dairy milk
  • 1/3cupoil
  • 3/4teaspoonsalt
  • 1 1/2teaspoons organic ground cinnamon
  • 1/2teaspoon organic ground nutmeg
  • 1/4cup organic sugar
  • 1tablespoon organic orange zest
  • 1tablespoon organic lemon zest
  • 3 1/2 – 4cups organicall-purpose flour
  • 1/2cup organic raisins
  • 1/4cup organic dried currants(or sultanas raisins)

Vegan “Egg” Wash

  • 2tablespoons organic unsweetened non-dairy milk
  • 1tablespoon organic pure maple syrup

Icing

  • 1/2 cup organic powdered sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon organic vanilla extract
  • 2 1/2 teaspoons organic unsweetened non-dairy milk

Instructions:

  • In your stand mixer bowl, add the yeast, 1 tsp of sugar, and lukewarm water. Let stand for a few minutes.
  • When the yeast has foamed up, add the room temperature/lukewarm milk, oil, salt, ground cinnamon, ground nutmeg, sugar, orange zest, lemon zest, and 1 cup of flour. Mix with a spoon to combine.
  • Put stand mixer bowl in place, add 2 more cups of flour and using the dough hook, set the mixer to knead.
  • If the dough is sticky, add flour 1/2 cup at a time.
  • Let mixer knead dough for about 4 minutes and until it is no longer sticky. In the last minute of mixing, add the raisins and currants to incorporate them.
  • Lightly oil the inside of a medium-sized bowl.
  • Remove dough from mixer bowl and place into the oiled bowl. Cover the bowl with a towel and let it sit in a warm spot until it has doubled in size, about 1 hour.
  • Line an 11″ x 13″ pan with parchment paper. Allow an overhang on each side so they can be easily removed from the pan when done.
  • After the hour has passed, punch the dough down and knead for a few seconds to get rid of any air pockets.
  • Separate the dough into 12 equal sized pieces.
  • Roll each piece into a ball and place each one into the parchment lined pan. It’s OK if they are close together.
  • Cover with a towel and place in a warm spot. Let rise for 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 375°F.
  • Make the vegan “egg” wash by mixing the unsweetened non-dairy milk and the maple syrup together.
  • After the rolls have rested, using a pastry brush, brush the vegan “egg” wash over each bun.
  • Bake for about 20 minutes or until they are golden brown.
  • Remove from oven and let sit for a few minutes in pan.
  • Remove buns using parchment paper overhang as handles and place onto a cooling rack. The buns will have joined together while rising/baking. Do not separate them yet.
  • While cooling, make the icing. Add the powdered sugar, vanilla, and unsweetened non-dairy milk to a small bowl. Mix well until it has all combined to form a thick icing. Place into a piping bag with a very small tip.
  • Once the buns have fully cooled, pipe the icing onto the buns to make the crosses. (3 horizontal lines and 4 vertical lines)
  • Enjoy right away or store in an airtight container for a few days. If you know you will not be able use up all of them within a few days, only put the icing crosses on the ones you know will be eaten quickly. If you add the icing too far in advance and then store, the icing will melt and soak into the buns.
  • Buns will stay fresh for up to 3 days.

Recipe courtesy of Delightful Adventures.