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  • Dessert
  • 12
  • 10 minutes
  • 20 minutes

Ingredients

2 ½ cups wholemeal self-raising flour
2 tsp cinnamon
½ tsp nutmeg, freshly ground
½ tsp allspice, freshly ground
2 tbs honey
2 tsp vanilla essence
¼ cup extra virgin olive oil
3 eggs, 1 extra egg for the glaze, whisked
1 apple, grated
Zest of 1 orange
100 g sultanas
1 cup reduced fat milk
White Crosses
¼ cup plain wholemeal flour
2 - 3 tbs water

Nutritional Information (per serve)

  • 944 kJ / 224 cal
  • 32g
  • 6g
  • 7g
  • 1g
  • 5g
  • 227g

Healthy Hot Cross Buns

This Easter, instead of reaching for some shop bought hot cross buns, why not try making your own healthy buns at home! This is quite a dense bun and full of spice and fruit which will leave you feeling full due to its fibre content. Cinnamon is a spice that comes from the branches of the ‘Cinnamomum’ trees found in South America, Southeast Asia and the Caribbean. Cinnamon has received much attention recently with research suggesting benefits for blood glucose management.

  • Step 1

    Preheat oven to 180°C. Line a baking tray with greaseproof paper.

  • Step 2

    In a bowl, mix together all dry ingredients. Make a well in the centre.

  • Step 3

    Add in eggs, olive oil, honey and vanilla essence. Mix together until just combined.

  • Step 4

    Add in the apple, orange and sultanas. Mix together.

  • Step 5

    Add in milk and mix together until it becomes a thick doughy consistency.

  • Step 6

    Spoon 12 portions onto the baking tray and gently form them into little buns.

  • Step 7

    In a separate bowl, whisk the last remaining egg, brush over the buns as a glaze.

  • Step 8

    To make the white cross, mix together flour and water and using a piping bag, pipe the crosses on top of each bun.

  • Step 9

    Bake for approximately 20-25 minutes, or until the buns are golden and cooked through.

  • Step 10

    Remove from the oven and leave to cool.