We don’t know about you, but we can’t go without a hot cross bun (or five) when Easter rolls around.
But this year, instead of turning to bakeries, grocery stores and supermarkets for your fix, why not whip up a batch of Jessica Sepel’s healthy-ish hot cross buns? They’re made with almond meal, coconut flour and a few other good-for-you ingredients like cinnamon and dark chocolate, so you can indulge guilt-free. Serve them with coconut butter, or if you’re a true chocoholic, with an organic chocolate hazelnut spread.
Easter is a season filled with yummy family meals and treats! In fact, the holiday is practically dedicated to baskets filled with chocolatey, sugary indulgences. If you are health conscious, there’s no need to deprive yourself during this time. Enjoy these divine hot cross buns instead. They’re gluten-free, dairy-free and refined sugar-free with a hint of spice and zesty citrus. Plus, they’ve got the most amazing dark chocolate finishing touch—enjoy! says Jessica Sepel.
Healthy Hot Cross Bun Recipe
Makes: 8
Ingredients:
2 ½ cups almond meal
1 ½ tsp baking powder
3 tbsp coconut flour
1 tsp sea salt
1 tsp ground cinnamon
Zest of 1 small orange
3 tbsp coconut sugar
1 1/2 tbsp mixed spice
3 tbsp melted coconut oil
2 tbsp honey
3 eggs (2 for the mixture, 1 for glazing)
1 tsp vanilla extract
1/4 cup raisins
1/4 cup dark chocolate, melted
Method:
- Preheat oven to 180°C (160° fan-forced). Line a baking tray with non-stick baking paper.
- Combine the almond meal, coconut flour, baking powder, salt, cinnamon, mixed spice, orange zest and coconut sugar in a medium bowl, stirring well to remove any lumps.
- Whisk together the coconut oil, honey, eggs, and vanilla in a jug.
- Pour the wet ingredients into the bowl with the dry ingredients and mix well. Add the raisins and stir to combine.
- Roll 1/4 cup worth of mixture into a bun shape and add to a baking tray. Repeat with rest of mixture.
- Whisk remaining egg and using a pastry brush, brush each bun with a little egg to glaze.
- Add to oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until lightly golden and cooked through.
- Remove from oven and leave to cool for 5-10 minutes before piping a cross on each bun with the melted dark chocolate. I like to add the dark chocolate to a snaplock bag and then cut off a tiny corner using scissors. Then, pipe the chocolate straight onto the bun.
Jess has just released The JSHealth Program an 8-week plan to quit diets forever, reach your balanced weight and live the healthy life. It’s full of amazing recipes, cooking demos, meal plans and tips to increase energy levels, manage stress and heal a complex relationship with food. For more information, visit www.jessicasepel.com.
