Vegan hot cross buns

When you're following an egg- and dairy-free diet, certain classic treats can seem out of reach. Well, I've got good news: these vegan hot cross buns are delicious, easy and totally free from eggs or dairy.

Hot cross buns are spiced buns that are traditionally eaten on Good Friday (a Christian holiday commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus) in England, Ireland, Australia, India, Canada, New Zealand, South African and the United States.

They're typically made with flour, currants or raisins and spices, and enriched with milk and butter.

Swerving from the traditional a little, my vegan hot cross buns are spiced with cinnamon and ginger and dotted with dried dates and mixed peel to give them bags of warm, Easter flavour.

The crumb is perfectly fluffy and they're delicious either straight warm from the oven, cool with a cup of tea, or sliced, toasted and slathered with vegan spread.

Honestly, these vegan hot cross buns are the perfect dairy-free and egg-free treat to serve this Easter.

Here's how to make them. This recipe is adapted from one originally provided by Flora.

Instructions

Put the plant milk and margarine in a small saucepan and gently heat until the margarine has melted. Set aside.

In a large mixing bowl, add the flour, yeast, sugar, salt, cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg.

Whisk gently until evenly combined.

Use a spoon to make a well in the centre of the flour mix.

When the milk and margarine mix is just warm (not hot) pour it into the well.

Stir to a scraggy dough.

Tip the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 8 minutes until you have a smooth, stretchy dough.

Roll into a ball and place in an oiled bowl.

Cover with a wet tea towel and leave to prove somewhere warm for an hour or until doubled in size.

Tip the dough back onto the floured surface, knead briefly to knock out the air, then press out to a flat circle.

Sprinkle the dates and mixed peel over the dough and press down.

Fold the dough over the fruit like an envelope.

Knead the dough briefly until the fruit is evenly distributed, then place back in the bowl.

Cover with a wet tea towel again and leave to prove for another hour.

Cut the dough into twelve equal pieces and roll them into balls.

Oil the baking tray and place the balls of dough into it, evenly spaced.

Your buns are now ready to prove for a final hour.

This time, you need to cover your tin with plenty of room to allow your buns to expand as they prove. For this, you can:

• cover with oiled clingfilm, folded along the centre to allow space to expand and sealed around the edges to prevent drying, or
• pop the whole tray in a clean "bag for life", leaving space to prove and folding underneath to prevent drying, or
• stand an upturned tin or plastic box over your tray, which will keep moisture in.

Preheat the oven to 220C/ 200 fan/ gas 7. Pop the flour and water in a bowl.

Whisk together to smooth paste and then transfer to a piping bag. Cut a very small hole at the end.

Pipe long lines left to right on your buns and then up and down, creating the classic cross effect.

Pop in the oven and bake for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.

While the buns are still piping got, put the strawberry jam in a small, microwave-safe bowl and zap for about 15 seconds until melted.

Immediately (and carefully) brush the hot jam all over the buns.

Leave until just cool enough to handle, then transfer to a board and enjoy!

These buns are incredible enjoyed freshly baked and still warm. They're also fantastic toasted and spread with vegan margarine.

How will you enjoy yours?

Pointers, tricks and troubleshooting tips for the perfect vegan hot cross buns

Are vegan hot cross buns easy to make?

Yes, Vegan hot cross buns are super easy to make! While the recipe has a fair amount of steps, don't let it put you off! Most of the process involves kneading or waiting for the dough to prove (more on that later). 

First, you'll warm your liquid ingredients, add the dry ingredients and mix the dough in a single bowl. Then you start to knead your dough.

If you have a stand mixer with a dough attachment, it would be very helpful for this recipe and save you some energy when it comes to kneading. But, if not, don't worry; kneading isn't as technical as it sounds!

It's really easy to knead bread dough. But before you begin, the most important thing is to prepare a clean working surface and wash your hands well before you start.

My preferred kneading method is to use the flat of my hand to push some of the dough along the table to stretch it out just a few inches before folding it back in on itself and starting again.

As with many things, practice makes perfect – the more you work with dough, the more you'll get a feel for what works and what doesn't.

Here’s a great video from Bake With Jack that you can follow while you knead in real-time! It should really help you get the hang of it.

The only other skill, really, is patience, as you'll need to let this recipe prove for a total of three times: once when you first form the dough, a second time after you fold in the fruit, and a final time once you've formed your vegan hot cross buns and arranged them in the tray. I promise you, though, it's all worth it.

Why do I have to knead the dough?

Professional and amateur bakers worldwide have been kneading bread dough – folding it over and over on itself – for thousands of years because it stretches the gluten in the flour, which introduces elasticity and strength to the dough.

Without kneading, the dough would be impossible to stretch out, and it wouldn't be able to trap the carbon dioxide produced by the yeast in those beautiful little pockets that result in a lovely light cooked structure.

While people may have been kneading dough since antiquity, it's only relatively recently that we have gained a clearer scientific understanding of what's going on.

The proteins found in wheat are distributed throughout the flour, but these amino acids link together into long chains when you add water. Kneading the dough help to accelerate this process of linking everything together.

That's why no-knead bread usually needs a long time to sit, as leaving it to ferment for many hours will also allow those long chains to form.

How can I make sure my vegan hot cross buns are perfectly cooked?

The traditional way to check if any yeasted bread is cooked is to turn it over and tap on the bottom. If it sounds hollow, your buns are cooked!

If you want to get more technical, you could use a food temperature probe to test the internal temperature. 

Most yeasted bread and buns should reach an internal temperature of around 87C when cooked. So if your hot cross buns have reached 87C, you should have perfectly cooked hot cross buns. 

Why did vegan hot cross buns turn out dense? Why didn’t my vegan hot cross buns rise?

Dense bread can be the result of a few possible issues.

The main one is failing to knead for long enough. When you first make your dough, and you're ready to knead, set yourself a timer for 8 minutes and be sure to knead until you have a lovely smooth, springy dough.

If you're sure you kneaded enough, the other issue might be dead yeast. Yeast is a living organism, and open packets can die relatively quickly, even faster than the Use By date might suggest, and dead yeast can't do its job in your bread.

To check if your yeast is active, put a little bit in some warm water. If it bubbles, there's life in it!

Why did my vegan hot cross buns turn out wet or doughy?

Wet or doughy bread is usually a result of either undercooking or adding too much liquid.

Make sure you follow the recipe quantities carefully.

To check if your bread is done, tap on the underside as described above and listen for a hollow sound.

If you are concerned that the top is cooking faster than the insides of your buns, you can place a little foil over the top to protect them from direct heat while they finish baking.

Remember, while all ovens have a temperature dial, the actual temperature achieved inside the oven during cooking can vary wildly, so use your judgement and keep an eye on your buns, particularly towards the end of the cooking time.

Why did my vegan hot cross buns taste bland?

There's plenty of spice in this recipe, so your buns shouldn't taste bland. However, spices have a best before end date, and they can lose flavour over time, particularly once opened and especially if they are stored open or in direct sunlight.

If your spices start to lose their flavour, you can still use them in recipes; you might need to use your judgement to add a little more.

Can I use different spices in my vegan hot cross buns? Or leave them out?

You can leave out the spices in this recipe if you like, but they will be more like plain bread instead of having that traditional warming spiced flavour for which hot cross buns are best known.

You can also experiment with other spice combinations.

Mixed spice is typically made from a combination of cinnamon, coriander seed, caraway, nutmeg, ginger, cloves, allspice, and mace - that should help inspire your experiments!

Caution: go gently if it's your first time experimenting as some spices, such as cloves, are relatively strong, and a little can go a long way.

Will I need any special equipment to make vegan hot cross buns?

You won't need any special equipment to make these vegan hot cross buns, just basic kitchen equipment such as a bowl, spoon and tray.

If you have a piping bag to hand, that will come in handy for piping on the crosses, but if you don't, you can make one with a piece of greaseproof paper.

Where can I buy vegan margarine and plant-based milk?

Dairy-free margarine and milk are available in all major supermarkets. In fact, some well-known brands of margarine, like Flora or Stork, are already vegan.

Sometimes plant-based dairy alternatives are kept alongside the dairy milk and butter. In others, they'll sit in a separate "free-from" chilled section.

These days, there are all sorts of options for plant-based alternatives. I really like unsweetened soya milk, but almond milk or oat milk will work just as well. 

Alpro is a popular brand, but they tend to add sweeteners to a lot of their milk. However, Oatly and Innocent make unsweetened oat milk which only contains oats, water and salt while remaining naturally sweet - so they would work well.

Whichever you choose, make sure to check whether it is sweetened or not. Equally, if you're cooking for someone with a nut allergy, you won't be able to use nut-based milk.

If you're cooking for someone who is vegan or has any intolerances or allergies to dairy, make sure to check the packaging on each item to be sure it is safely dairy-free. 

Many ingredients contain milk powder or trace dairy elements, so keep your eyes peeled for any sneaky additives!

How can I tell if vegan margarine has gone off?

Like dairy butter or spread, vegan margarine is made primarily from fat, so it will typically smell and taste rancid when it is past its best.

Also, look out for Use By dates which, unlike best before dates that act as a guide, should be heeded to the date without exception.

Is this recipe gluten-free?

Unfortunately, these vegan hot cross buns are not gluten-free. 

Usually, I would suggest swapping out wheat flour for a gluten-free flour blend, but I'm not sure it would work with this recipe. This recipe relies on the gluten in wheat flour to form the dough texture. 

So I haven't tried substituting wheat flour for gluten-free flour for this recipe. However, feel free to give it a try and please let me know how you get on! 

The BBC have a gluten-free hot cross bun recipe from Paul Hollywood, though it isn't vegan. So maybe you could try combining the two recipes to create a Vegan and gluten-free hot cross bun recipe.

Are vegan hot cross buns keto-friendly?

Sorry, these vegan hot cross buns have flour as their main ingredient and contain sugar and fruit, so they aren't suitable for a keto diet or adapting to a keto-friendly recipe.

Is this vegan hot cross buns recipe healthy?

Carbs have been unfairly demonised over the years, so while these vegan hot cross buns aren't the most healthy treat, they aren't the worst either.

They technically contain some fruit and fibre, but they also have a fair amount of sugar and not many vitamins.

So they're probably best enjoyed as an Easter treat as part of a diverse and balanced diet.

Are vegan hot cross buns safe to eat while pregnant?

There is nothing in this recipe for vegan hot cross buns that should present a risk to pregnant people.

However, you should always seek advice from your health professional. The NHS also has a well-maintained resource on foods to avoid during pregnancy.

Information on this website should not be taken as medical advice.

What goes well with vegan hot cross buns?

These buns are lovely on their own with a cup of tea or coffee. They're also wonderful sliced, toasted and spread with vegan margarine.

You could add a little jam or chocolate spread for an extra indulgent treat. Divine!

What is mixed peel?

Mixed peel is a mixture of candied citrus peel, usually lemon and orange.

At some point during the 18th century, cooks realised that the most intense flavour of any citrus fruit comes from the peel. This is why many fruit cake recipes (like Christmas cake or traditional wedding cakes), which we still use, contain mixed peel.

Mixed peel is made by collecting citrus rind shavings and storing them in a container with either sugar syrup or dry sugar. The sugar sweetens the peels and draws the moisture out of the peels, intensifying the citrus flavour and acting as a preservative.

When it comes to mixed peel, a little goes a long way. So be careful not to add too much!

Can I make vegan hot cross buns without dates? I haven’t got dates can I use something else?

Typically, hot cross buns are made with currants and mixed peel, but I adore the toffee-like texture and flavour of dates, so that's why I popped them in this recipe.

If you don't have dates, you can leave them out or swap them for pretty much any dried fruit you like. How about dried strawberry and apple pieces? Or you could go tropical with bits of dried pineapple and mango!

I wouldn't recommend adding fresh fruit, as the moisture and acidity could affect the texture and interrupt the rising agents in the dough.

Can I add extra fruit to these vegan hot cross buns?

Yes, feel free to add extra dried fruit to this recipe if you like.

I wouldn't recommend going any higher than double the recommended weight, or you may find that your vegan hot cross buns don't rise or hold together very well.

Can I make vegan hot cross buns ahead?

Yes, if you want to make your vegan hot cross buns ahead, there are a couple of ways to do it.

First, you could make the dough a day ahead. Cover it in the bowl as the recipe states, then place it in the fridge instead of a warm place. It would still prove and rise, but much more slowly.

In the morning, allow it to come back up to room temperature before continuing with the recipe.

Or your could bake your hot cross buns and freeze them, then defrost them as directed below.

I wouldn't recommend baking your hot cross buns and then serving them a couple of days later, as they'll quickly go stale if you don't freeze them - or eat them!

How should I store vegan hot cross buns?

Once your hot cross buns have thoroughly cooled, place them in a ziplock bag or sealed container like a lunchbox. Aim to leave as little space for air as possible to give them the best chance of staying fresh for longer. The more air in the container, the quicker they'll get stale.

Put your container in a cool, dry, dark place. For example, a cupboard in your kitchen or pantry is perfect.

They should keep for up to 5 days, but they'll be at their best within 1-2 days. However, just like with traditional hot cross buns, you can always toast your older vegan hot cross buns and spread some plant butter on them to add a bit of moisture.

How long do vegan hot cross buns keep?

Properly stored, your vegan hot cross buns should keep in the cupboard for up to 5 days.

If you freeze your vegan hot cross buns, they will keep in the freezer for up to 6 months.

Though it's important to note that with homemade bakes, they're always at their best as fresh as possible as they don't contain artificial preservatives like many shop-bought goods.

There's an old superstition about Hot cross buns, which states that buns baked and served on Good Friday won't spoil for the rest of the year. Though I'm not so sure I'd want to eat a 1-year-old Hot cross bun!

Can I leave vegan hot cross buns out on the counter?

If you leave your vegan hot cross buns out on the counter, open to the air, they will go hard quite quickly, so it's best to store them properly (as described above) unless you intend to eat the lot on the day that you make them!

Can I keep vegan hot cross buns in the refrigerator?

There is no need to put your hot cross buns in the fridge.

In fact, bread stored in the refrigerator dries out and goes stale faster than bread kept in a sealed container in the cupboard - because the temperature affects the way moisture in food behaves.

So just keep your vegan hot cross buns in an airtight container in the cupboard or freezer as directed.

Can I freeze vegan hot cross buns?

Yes, you can indeed freeze your vegan hot cross buns! They keep well in the freezer, and it's easy to defrost or toast them from frozen.

Wrap each one in a strip of baking paper (to prevent them from sticking together) and place them in a sealed, freezer-safe container or Ziploc bag.

Aim to leave as little spare space as possible without squashing the rolls - this will help avoid freezer burn. Freezer burn is the frosty layer that forms on frozen food as water evaporates, and it can affect food quality. So the less air there is the less chance of freezer burn.

Once you've properly bagged or boxed your buns, place the container in the freezer, and they should keep for up to 6 months.

How do I defrost frozen vegan hot cross buns?

If you want to defrost your vegan hot cross buns, just take the container out of the freezer and leave it on the counter or in a cupboard for a few hours.

Your vegan hot cross buns should defrost within 4 hours, and you can enjoy them at room temperature or toasted.

What is the best way to reheat vegan hot cross buns?

If you want to enjoy your hot cross buns warm, I recommend slicing and reheating them in the toaster.

You can even toast from frozen. However, I'd turn the toaster heat down if you're heating your buns from frozen. This will give the inside time to thaw and heat up before the outside burns.

Just be careful when handling once toasted, as the fruit can become extremely hot.

Can I make this vegan hot cross buns recipe in a different quantity?

If you'd like to make more or fewer buns, no problem! Just scroll down to the recipe card below and click the portion number (it will say '12' by default), and a slider should appear.

Move the slider up and down to alter the quantity. The measurements for all the ingredients will automatically change to suit the amount chosen.

You shouldn't need to change the oven temperature or cooking time if you only slightly adjust the amount. Though bear in mind that a very large quantity in the oven all at once may take longer to bake, whereas a small amount may bake more quickly.

Can I make an individual vegan hot cross bun?

In theory, you could! Using the above method, adjust the quantity to just '1'. Then I would turn the oven temperature down by 10-20 degrees and reduce the cooking time.

It's probably best to cook your bun for 15-20 minutes and then check whether it seems cooked or check the core temperature with a probe.

The 15-20 minutes will give the bun plenty of time to rise and cook through to the centre, hopefully without burning.

The amounts will be very tiny, so you might find it fiddly, but let me know how you get on!

Can I make this recipe in a different shaped tin?

As long as all 12 of your buns fit into the tray with space to prove, you can use any shape you like!

A large round tin could work. You could even freestyle the arrangement of your buns on a flat tray.

Can I make vegan hot cross buns in a stand mixer such as a KitchenAid or Kenwood Mixer?

Yes, a stand mixer would be really helpful for this recipe, especially if you have a dough hook attachment.

You can add all of your ingredients into the mixer bowl in the order directed and mix using the paddle attachment. Then swap the paddle for the dough hook/kneading attachment.

It should take about 5-8 minutes to knead your dough with a stand mixer, and it'll save your hands from a workout!

Can I make vegan hot cross buns using a food processor?

I wouldn't recommend using a food processor to make the dough in this recipe as it would be difficult for the food processor to mix and even more challenging to remove the dough from the food processor.

Can I make vegan hot cross buns using a Thermomix?

For some reason, there's a fair amount of recipes for making Hot Cross Buns in a Thermomix.

A Thermomix is sort of like the ultimate prep machine. It can cook, chop, blend, knead and even ferment food!

I haven't tried making this recipe in a Thermomix before, but in theory, it should be a helpful tool for mixing and kneading your dough. So if you have a Thermomix, feel free to prep and knead your vegan hot cross buns there.

Once your dough is ready, turn out the dough, prove and shape and cook it as the recipe states.

What is the origin of hot cross buns?

It's believed that Hot cross buns, or something similar, were created by an English monk called Thomas Rodcliffe in the 1300s. He was known for giving local people a similar baked bun (Alban bun) on Good Friday.

This origin would make sense, as the Hot cross bun recipe and story contain a lot of Christian imagery. For example, the spices in the recipe represent the embalming spices used for Jesus at his burial, and the mixed peel is thought to reflect the bitterness of Jesus' time on the cross.

However, the first written reference to Hot cross buns wasn't recorded until the mid-1700s. So it's only speculation that Thomas Rodcliffe invented Hot cross buns, as no one can know for sure.

Why are they called hot cross buns?

The 'cross' in the name 'Hot cross buns' comes from the cross shape on the top of the bun. The cross signifies the cross on which Christians believe Jesus nailed.

Traditionally the cross on the bun is made using a paste of flour and water or puff pastry. However, some recipes also use marzipan or add icing after the buns have been cooked.

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