So yum: Healthy Hot Cross Buns Recipe
Hot cross buns are THE classic Easter bake, but traditional recipes can be high in calories, making it an unhealthy treat. If you are health-conscious and love the little buns as much as we do, this guilt-free healthy hot cross bun recipe is for you. Made from almond meal, Greek yoghurt, golden raisins, clove, cinnamon and nutmeg, these healthier buns taste just as good as the original. But before we dive into the recipe, let’s explore why this sweet is so popular at Easter.
What are hot cross buns?
Traditionally, hot cross buns are spiced, yeasted buns with raisins or currants and marked with a cross on top piped in icing or etched into the dough. The buns are best enjoyed hot, hence their name hot cross buns.
Why do we eat hot cross buns at Easter?
There are many theories on the origin of the hot cross buns. Here are some of the tales that are told about this delicious Easter treat.
The first theory dates back to the 14th century. An Anglican monk baked the buns and marked them with a cross to honour Good Friday, which he handed out to the poor. The buns soon gained popularity around England and became a symbol of the Easter weekend.
Another story tells that in the 16th century, Queen Elizabeth I passed a law banning the sale of the hot cross buns outside of Good Friday and Christmas. The reasons for that were that it was believed the buns carried medicinal or magical ingredients, and the English were afraid that these properties were abused. Many people started to make these sweets at home to get around the law. Eventually, it got too difficult to enforce the law, and therefore it was rescinded.
Nowadays, hot cross buns are sold during the entire year.
Myths and superstitions
The English were very superstitious. It was believed that hot cross buns, when baked on Good Friday, will stay fresh for an entire year. If the buns were hung in the kitchen, they are said to protect against fires and that all the bread you are baking turned out perfectly.
Another superstition said that hot cross buns will help you to recover better from illness.
Healthy hot cross bun recipe
After reading all the traditions around the hot cross buns, you must be eager to make your own ones. Our ClickClack Foodie Expert Liv Kaplan created a super delicious and healthy hot cross bun recipe for you to inspire your Easter baking. Easter is a season filled with chocolate, candies and hearty family meals; these healthy bakes will be a welcomed break from all the sugary indulgences.
Healthy Hot Cross Buns
Serves: 6
Prep time: 15 minutes
Cook time: 20 minutes
Ingredients
¾ cup blanched almond meal
¼ cup coconut flour
¼ cup granulated erythritol or coconut sugar or raw sugar
1 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp cloves ground
¼ tsp nutmeg
½ tsp baking powder
¼ tsp sea salt
¼ cup Greek yoghurt
2 tbsp coconut oil, melted
1 large egg
Zest of one orange
⅓ cup dried Inca berries, chopped OR ½ cup golden raisins
¼ cup coconut butter, softened
Method
- Preheat the oven to 175℃ and line a baking tray with baking paper.
- In a large bowl, combine the almond meal, coconut flour, erythritol or sugar, spices, baking powder and salt.
- In a smaller bowl, combine the yoghurt, coconut oil, egg and orange zest. Stir the wet ingredients into the dry until incorporated into a thick batter. Gently fold in the gooseberries or raisins.
- Shape the batter into 6 buns and place on the baking tray. Bake in the oven for 20 minutes. Check the buns after 15 minutes, if they are browning too much, place a piece of foil over the top and continue to bake. Remove from the oven and leave to cool completely.
- Spoon the softened coconut butter into a ziplock bag and snip off the end. Once the buns have cooled completely, spoon a cross onto each bun. Enjoy!
Wanna try this recipe? We have the perfect baking tools to help you with this. Discover our measuring set, scales, whisk, zester and more here. All of our gadgets are made of stainless steel and built to last.
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