These Vegan Chocolate Chip Hot Cross Buns are a delightful twist on a classic Easter treat, that is sure to impress your friends and family!
Today, I'm excited to share with you my take on this super popular Easter dessert. Whether you're a seasoned vegan chef or a curious beginner, this recipe is sure to satisfy your sweet cravings bringing something that's a little different on the table!
I'll never forget the first time I tried a hot cross bun. It actually reminded me a lot of my beloved Italian Panettone, so it immediately felt like home. With each bite, I started thinking how a simple baked good can actually trigger memories of my childhood in a completely different country. It is true that sometimes the world can appear small!!
A Twist on Tradition
So, are you ready to shake up your baking routine with a delightful twist on a classic Easter treat? Get ready to tickle your taste buds with the irresistible fusion of vegan goodness and chocolatey indulgence in every bite of these Vegan Chocolate Chip Hot Cross Buns! But before we dive into the recipe, let's explore some fun facts and tips to make your baking experience even more enjoyable.
History and Tradition: A Journey Through Time
Hot cross buns have a rich history dating back centuries, with roots in religious and cultural traditions. Originally associated with Good Friday in Christian communities, these spiced buns adorned with a cross symbolize the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Over time, they've become a beloved Easter staple enjoyed by people of all backgrounds.
Cultural Significance: Celebrating Diversity
While hot cross buns may have originated in Christian communities, their appeal extends far beyond religious boundaries. In multicultural societies, they serve as a symbol of unity and inclusivity, bringing people together to celebrate shared traditions and create new memories.
As a vegan, I've often found comfort and joy in discovering plant-based versions of beloved dishes from different cultures. In embracing vegan chocolate chip hot cross buns, I not only honour the traditions of the past but also celebrate the diversity of our world today. It's a delicious reminder that food has the power to bridge cultural divides and foster connections between people from all walks of life.
How to make the Perfect Vegan Hot Cross Buns at Home
Alright, let's get our hands dirty – in the best possible way, of course! Start by activating your yeast. Warm up your non-dairy milk until it's just lukewarm, then sprinkle the yeast over the milk and let it sit for about 5 minutes until it's frothy. This step is crucial; it's like waking up the yeast from its slumber and getting it ready to work its magic in your dough.
While your yeast is doing its thing, mix together the flour, sugar, salt, and any optional spices you want to add – cinnamon is a personal favourite of mine for that cosy, aromatic touch. Once your yeast is nice and frothy, pour it into the flour mixture along with the vegetable oil and vanilla extract (if using a liquid one). Now comes the fun part: kneading!
Kneading and Rising: A Labour of Love
Pour your heart and soul into kneading that dough until it's smooth and elastic – this usually takes about 8 to 10 minutes. I like to think of it as a little workout for my arms, with a tasty reward at the end! Alternatively you can use a bread machine/mixer.
Once your dough is looking and feeling just right, pop it into a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm, draft-free place for about an hour, or until it's doubled in size.
Adding Chocolate Chips: Because Everything's Better with Chocolate!
Alright, time to take our dough to the next level: chocolate chips! This is where the magic really happens. Gently fold in your vegan chocolate chips (and raisins or currants if you're feeling fancy) until they're evenly distributed throughout the dough. Don't be shy – the more chocolate, the better, right?
Forming and Baking: From Dough to Delight
Once your dough is studded with chocolatey goodness, it's time to shape it into buns. Divide the dough into equal-sized portions and roll them into balls. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving a little space between each bun to allow for rising. Cover them loosely with a clean kitchen towel and let them rise for another 30 minutes while you preheat your oven to 190°C (375°F).
As your buns rise and your oven preheats, take a moment to appreciate how far you've come on this baking adventure. From simple ingredients to a dough that's risen to perfection, you're on the brink of creating something truly special.
Cross Decoration
Now, let's give our hot cross buns their signature look. You can either mix together a little flour and water to make a thick paste, then pipe crosses onto the tops of the buns, or use thin stripes of shortcrust pastry (I normally use the second option). This step not only adds a decorative touch but also gives your buns that classic hot cross bun charm.
Finishing Touches: Glazing and Serving
Pop your buns into the oven and let them bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until they're golden brown and beautifully fragrant. While they're baking, whip up a simple glaze with powdered sugar and a splash of non-dairy milk – this will give your buns that irresistible glossy finish.
Once your buns are out of the oven and cooled slightly, drizzle them with your glaze and get ready to dive in. Serve them warm with a dollop of vegan butter or your favourite jam, and prepare to be transported to hot cross bun heaven.
Ingredient Substitutions: Making it Your Own
One of the beauties of vegan baking is the freedom to experiment with ingredients and flavours. Don't have a specific ingredient on hand? No problem! Here are some easy substitutions you can make:
- Replace non-dairy milk with your favourite plant-based milk, such as almond, soy, or oat milk.
- Swap vegetable oil for vegan butter/margarine, coconut oil or applesauce for a lighter option.
- Experiment with different sweeteners like maple syrup, coconut sugar, or date syrup for a unique flavour profile.
Personal Tip: When I first started baking vegan treats, I was hesitant to stray from traditional recipes. But as I gained confidence in the kitchen, I discovered that ingredient substitutions not only allowed me to accommodate dietary preferences but also added exciting new dimensions to my creations. Don't be afraid to get creative and make the recipe your own!
Celebrating Success and Deliciousness
Congratulations, you did it! You've conquered the world of vegan baking and emerged victorious with a batch of mouth-watering chocolate chip hot cross buns. Whether you're enjoying them with family and friends or savouring them all to yourself (no judgment here!), take a moment to bask in the satisfaction of creating something delicious from scratch. And hey, if there are any buns left over, they make a fantastic breakfast the next day – if they last that long, that is! Happy baking, my fellow plant-based foodies, and may your kitchen always be filled with love, laughter, and delicious vegan treats. Cheers!
Storage Tips: Keeping the Goodness Fresh
Once you've baked a batch of these delectable hot cross buns, you'll want to savour them for as long as possible. Here are some handy storage tips to keep them fresh:
- Store your hot cross buns in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2-3 days.
- For longer storage, freeze them in a resealable plastic bag or container for up to 1-2 months. Simply thaw them at room temperature or gently reheat them in the oven before serving.
Personal Trick: To keep my hot cross buns moist and flavourful, I like to slice them in half and toast them lightly before enjoying them with a generous smear of vegan butter. It's the perfect way to revive day-old buns and enjoy them as if they were freshly baked!
Vegan Chocolate Chip Hot Cross Buns Recipe
Ingredients:
250 g All Purpose Flour
140 g Plant Milk (soya)
70 g Dark Chocolate Chips (vegan)
50 g Caster Sugar
25 g Vegetable Oil (rapeseed)
10 g Potato Flakes (aka dehydrated potatoes)
4 g Instant Yeast
½ teaspoon Ground Cinnamon
½ teaspoon Vanilla Sugar (or extract)
pinch Nutmeg
pinch Salt
...extras...
Short Crust Pastry Stripes (for cross feature. Alternatively mix water + flour until it forms a thick, pipable paste)
Powdered Sugar + Water (for glossy finish)
Method:
1. Start by activating the yeast. Warm up your non-dairy milk until it's just lukewarm, then sprinkle the yeast over the milk and let it sit for about 5 minutes until it's frothy.
2. Mix together the flour, sugar, salt and all the spices. Once your yeast is nice and frothy, pour it into the flour mixture along with the vegetable oil and vanilla extract (if using a liquid one).
3. Knead the dough until it's smooth and elastic – this usually takes about 8 to 10 minutes.
4. Transfer it into a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm, draft-free place for about an hour, or until it's doubled in size.
5. Once dough has risen, gently fold in the vegan chocolate chips until they're evenly distributed throughout the dough.
6. Divide the dough into 4 equal-sized portions and roll them into balls.
7. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving a little space between each bun to allow for rising. Cover them loosely with a clean kitchen towel and let them rise for another 30 minutes.
8. Preheat the oven to 190°C (375°F).
9. To give the hot cross buns their signature look you can either mix together a little flour and water to make a thick paste, then pipe crosses onto the tops of the buns, or use thin stripes of shortcrust pastry (I normally use the second option).
10. Pop the buns into the oven and let them bake for about 20-25 minutes, or until they're golden brown and beautifully fragrant.
11. While they're baking, whip up a simple glaze with powdered sugar and a splash of non-dairy milk to give your buns that irresistible glossy finish.
12. Once your buns are out of the oven and cooled slightly, drizzle them with your glaze and get ready to dive in. Serve them warm with a dollop of vegan butter or your favourite jam.
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