Healthy Hot Cross Buns

The is a wonderful recipe from my Healthy Baking Cookbook - you'll want to make a double batch of these as they won't last long! Made from wholemeal spelt, rye, plump raisins, honey, cinnamon and vanilla, these tasty buns are not very difficult to make, but you do need to start them the day before. After you've combined the ingredients the most important part is to allow the buns to rest and develop in the fridge overnight – at least 12 hours.

Whole-meal spelt are rye are often tolerated with people who have digestive issues as it has a slightly lower gluten content and higher amino acid profile then traditional wheat based flours. Olive oil is anti-inflammatory to the body and marries perfectly with the Mediterranean style flavours of orange, vanilla and cinnamon. Cinnamon improves insulin’s efficiency, which help to regulate blood sugar levels.

Healthy Hot Cross Buns Recipe

by Teresa Cutter

INGREDIENTS

Makes 24 buns

Start this recipe the day before

320 g (11 1/2 oz / 2 3/4 cups) wholemeal spelt flour

50 g (1 3/4 oz / 1/2 cup) rye flour

10 g fresh yeast or 1 sachet 5 g dried yeast (I used fresh yeast bought from my local bakery)

2 tablespoons raw honey

250 ml (8 3/4 fl oz / 1 cup) milk of your choice

2 organic eggs

grated zest of 1 orange

1 teaspoon vanilla paste

½ teaspoon sea salt

2 teaspoons ground cinnamon

1 teaspoon ground ginger

150 ml (5 1/4 oz) extra virgin olive oil

300 g (10 1/2 oz / 2 cups) raisins or golden sultanas

100 g (3 1/2 oz) dried chopped apricots

100 g (3 1/2 oz) good quality 70 per cent dark eating chocolate, melted

EGG WASH

1 organic egg

2 tablespoons of milk

METHOD

Day 1

Combine the flours, yeast, honey, milk, eggs, orange zest, vanilla and salt into the bowl of your bench top mixer.

Mix with a dough hook at low speed until combined then increase the speed to medium and mix for about 8 minutes or until smooth.

Add the oil slowly, a little at a time until it is all incorporated into the dough. Take your time and don’t add too much at once.

Add the raisins and apricots and mix gently until just mixed in then turn off your mixer and remove the bowl.

Cover your bowl with plastic wrap and allow to rest at room temperature for about 1 hour.

Place the dough into the fridge overnight to rest and develop for a further 12 hours. This dough is quite sturdy, so if you go over 12 hours, that’s ok, as long as you cook the dough the following day. Resting also loosens the dough so you end up with a light and fluffy hot cross bun.

Day 2

Divide dough into 24 even size portions.

Leave to prove in a warm place for about 2 hours. This depends on the warmth of your kitchen… I usually turn the oven on just to warm the kitchen and help them prove and they should at least double in size.

Preheat oven to 180 C.

Make an egg wash using 1 whole egg and 2 tablespoons of milk.

Brush tops of the buns with egg wash.

Bake for 35 – 40 minutes or until golden and baked through.

Cool slightly.

Melt chocolate then pipe over the buns before serving. Enjoy.

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Teresa Cutter a classically trained chef and qualified nutritionist, and the founder of The Healthy Chef.

by Teresa Cutter, Nutritionist + Chef

Teresa Cutter is a classically trained chef and qualified nutritionist, and the founder of The Healthy Chef. She has been creating simple, wholefood recipes for over 30 years.