Vegan Hot Cross Buns — a classic Easter treat that’s just as lovely any time of year. These lightly spiced, sticky fruit buns are topped with the traditional pastry crosses and are completely plant-based.
I grew especially fond of these while living in the UK and Ireland, where they’re a much-loved Easter tradition.
There’s nothing quite like baking to help relax and clear the mind. Wouldn’t you agree? I often eye those tempting hot cross buns in supermarkets but skip buying them because they contain milk, eggs, or other non-vegan ingredients. This time, I decided to make my own!
This vegan version was inspired by a BBC recipe, with a few adjustments to suit a plant-based twist and my own preferences.
While the recipe may look a bit long, the hands-on time is actually quite short. I used the waiting periods to do other things and then returned to continue baking. The buns turned out beautifully, filling my wintery kitchen with the warm, comforting aroma of sweet spices. Honestly, they made my day feel calm and satisfying.
To make these Vegan Hot Cross Buns
1. Prepare the ferment starter:
Combine the plant-based milk and water in a deep bowl (it will rise a lot, mine almost overflowed!). Whisk in the yeast, sugar and flour, cover, and leave in a warm place for 20 minutes.
2. Make the dough:
Sieve the flour, salt, and spices into a large mixing bowl. Add the oil and rub in with your fingers until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.
Make a well in the centre and add the sugar and lemon zest. Pour in the ferment starter, gradually incorporating the flour, and mix vigorously.
Knead until smooth and elastic, then fold in the mixed dried fruit.
3. First rise:
Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a greased bowl. Cover with a clean tea towel and leave to rise in a warm place for 30 minutes or until doubled in size.
4. Shape the buns:
Turn out the dough, punch it down, and knead briefly to remove air. Divide into 12 even pieces and shape each into a smooth ball. Place on a greased baking tray (I used my pizza tray). Let rise again for 30 minutes or until doubled.
5. Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius (350 F).
6. Make the crosses:
Mix the oil with the flour, then add water to form a smooth dough. Roll out to 2–3 mm thick and cut into thin strips. Trim and place strips on each bun to form crosses.
7. Bake:
Bake for 25 minutes, then brush with a soy milk and sugar mixture. Return to the oven for another 10 minutes or until golden and cooked through.
Cool on a wire rack. Serve with butter, jam, or enjoy them plain!
You Might Also Like:
Vegan Hot Cross Buns
Soft and fluffy vegan hot cross buns with warm spices and bursts of sweet dried fruit. A comforting Easter classic, simple to make at home.
Ingredients
FOR THE FERMENT STARTER:
- 150 ml warm soymilk
- 150 ml warm water
- 15 g yeast, 2 sachets, 3 1/2 teaspoons
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 tablespoons plain flour
FOR THE DOUGH:
- 500 g strong white flour, [4 cups], or all-purpose / plain flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoon ground mixed spice/cinnamon
- 100 g sugar, [1/2 cup]
- 75 ml vegetable oil
- 1 lemon, grated, zest only
- ¾ cup mixed dried fruit, or more if you like
- oil, for greasing
FOR THE CROSSES:
- 2 tablespoons flour
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 – 1½ tablespoon water, or as needed
FOR GLAZING:
- 2 tablespoons soymilk
- 1 tablespoon sugar
Instructions
Prepare the ferment starter
Combine the plant-based milk and water in a deep bowl (it will rise a lot, mine almost overflowed!). Whisk in the yeast, sugar and flour, cover, and leave in a warm place for 20 minutes.
Make the dough
Sieve the flour, salt, and spices into a large mixing bowl. Add the oil and rub in with your fingers until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Make a well in the centre and add the sugar and lemon zest. Pour in the ferment starter, gradually incorporating the flour, and mix vigorously. Knead until smooth and elastic, then fold in the mixed dried fruit.
First rise
Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a greased bowl. Cover with a clean tea towel and leave to rise in a warm place for 30 minutes or until doubled in size.
Shape the buns
Turn out the dough, punch it down, and knead briefly to remove air. Divide into 12 even pieces and shape each into a smooth ball. Place on a greased baking tray (I used my pizza tray). Let rise again for 30 minutes or until doubled.
Preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius (350 F).
Make the crosses
Mix the oil with the flour, then add water to form a smooth dough. Roll out to 2–3 mm thick and cut into thin strips. Trim and place strips on each bun to form crosses.
Bake
Bake for 25 minutes, then brush with a soy milk and sugar mixture. Return to the oven for another 10 minutes or until golden and cooked through. Cool on a wire rack. Serve with butter, jam, or enjoy them plain!
Love this Vegan Hot Cross Buns recipe?
Pin it for later.
And while you’re on Pinterest, come follow and pin along with us.
Updated 2019-04-15: Images on this post have been updated. I’ve left the old image below in case you came to this post through this image and you recognise it. I kind of like these old images, they have this vintage feel to them that
Discover more from Veganlovlie: Scrumptious Vegan Recipes
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
The “bums” looks great! haha
and I agree, there is nothing better to get rid of stress or clear your head like baking.
Those are gorgeous hot cross buns! I always wondered how they were made 😉
Good luck with your interview(s)!
Good luck with good results from your interview!
And those hot cross buns look incredible!
Good luck with your interview!As with your move!I know how it`s like moving countries..I`ve done it a few times..been following your blog and I love it!The love you put into what you do is evident,thank you for sharing with us!Those buns look heart warming!mmmmmm….mia
I have an interview tomorrow too! I wish you lots and tons of luck! maybe I should start baking too, since I’ve been a bit stressed out lately and I also miss that kind of buns!
These buns looks fantastic…wish you tons of luck on your job search…
The hot cross buns look delicious.
Mm, I love hot cross buns but luckily the shops here make them with oil rather than butter and no milk. I can’t wait until post-christmas when they start stocking them again…
i will keep my fingers crossed for you! i like to clear my head & bake, too! it works so well – and with tasty results! these buns look PERFECT! i’m gonna have to make them soon! thanks for the recipe! 🙂
Thank you all for your support! I love those buns too! and making them at home only cost a fraction of store bought ones!
Those vegan buns look delectable 🙂