Vegan Hot Cross Buns

These Vegan Hot Cross Buns are our unique twist on a classic. They're sweet and light in flavor, using Florida Crystals® Regenerative Organic Raw Cane Sugar in the dough and the icing.

Prep Time

4 hours

Bake Time

24 minutes

Yields

12 buns

Farming to Help Save the Planet

As the largest Regenerative Organic Certified® farm in the U.S., we lead the fight for a cleaner, greener future. By farming regeneratively, we rebuild the soil, clean the air, and promote biodiversity. Join us in cultivating a thriving planet for generations to come.

Ingredients


For the buns

  • 3 2/3 cups Bread flour
  • ¼ cup Florida Crystals® Regenerative Organic Raw Cane Sugar
  • 1 (7 gram) envelope Active dry yeast
  • 1 teaspoon Ground cinnamon
  • ½ teaspoon Ground ginger
  • ¼ teaspoon Ground cardamom
  • 1 teaspoon  Salt 
  • 1 ¼ cups Almond milk
  • 4 ounces European style vegan butter
  • ¼ cup Unsweetened applesauce
  • ½ cup Golden raisins
  • ½ cup Candied pineapple, small diced

For the topping

  • 1/3 cup Flour
  • 1 tablespoon Florida Crystals® Regenerative Organic Raw Cane Sugar
  • 4 tablespoons Water 
  • ¼ cup Apricot jam

Instructions

Step 1 

In an electric stand mixer, fitted with the hook attachment, combine flour, sugar, yeast, cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, and salt.

Step 2

In a small saucepan, heat almond milk and butter until warm and all butter melts (about 125°F).

Step 3

Add milk and butter mixture to the flour mixture. Add applesauce and beat at low speed until all ingredients are combined. Beat for 10 minutes at medium speed until the dough cleanly pulls apart from the bowl. Add raisins and pineapple.

Step 4

Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl and cover with a kitchen towel. Place in a warm place and allow the dough to rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour depending on the temperature of your kitchen.

Step 5

Place the dough in a clean surface and punch down the dough to remove all air bubbles. Evenly divide the dough into 12 pieces. Shape the pieces of dough into balls. Place the dough balls in a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover with a kitchen towel and allow the dough to rise until doubled in size, about 1 hour.

Step 6 

Preheat oven to 400°F.

Step 7

Prepare the topping. In a small bowl, combine flour, sugar, and water and stir until a smooth paste is formed. Place the mixture in a pastry bag, pipe crosses on top of each bun.

Step 8

Bake for 20-24 minutes until golden brown. While the buns are baking, heat in a small saucepan the apricot jam until it liquefies. Remove the buns from the oven and immediately brush jam over them. Serve hot.  

Additional Tips

Serve buns with apricot jam or orange marmalade.

YOU CAN ALSO TRULY NOTICE A DIFFERENCE IN THE BAKED GOODS WHEN CHOOSING FLORIDA CRYSTALS® VS. ANOTHER BRAND.

- THE BANANA DIARIES, BRAND PARTNER