During this time of year, my favourite recipe to put a healthy spin on is Hot Cross Buns. Baking them is a fun way to get your kids in the kitchen around Easter time, and is an easy recipe to swap out unhealthy ingredients for healthier ones!
Two ways I make it healthier is by cutting down on the sugar content and swapping out plain flour for spelt flour; a whole grain, non-wheat flour.
Ingredients
2 Cups Spelt Flour
A Pinch of Pink Himalayan Sea Salt
1 Teaspoon Ginger, Ground
1 Teaspoon Cinnamon, Ground
1 Teaspoon Nutmeg, Ground
½ Cup Rolled Oats
100 Grams Whole Kids Organic Sultanas & Apricots
75 Grams Butter
1 Orange Zest
2 Tablespoons Maple Syrup
½ Cup Milk
1 Tablespoon Yeast
1 Egg
Apricot Jam for Glazing
Directions
Sift 2 cups of spelt flour, a pinch of pink Himalyan sea salt, 1 teaspoon of ginger, 1 teaspoon of cinnamon and 1 teaspoon of nutmeg into a large mixing bowl.
Add ½ cup of rolled oats and 100 grams of Whole Kids Organic Sultanas & Apricots to the bowl, then mix.
Warm ½ cup of milk, 2 tablespoons of maple syrup, 75 grams of butter and the zest of 1 orange over the stovetop.
Remove the liquid mixture from the stovetop. Once slightly cooled, dissolve 1 tablespoon of yeast in the liquid, whisk 1 egg into the liquid mixture, and add to the large mixing bowl.
Once ingredients have been evenly spread throughout, turn onto a lightly floured board and knead until it is smooth and elastic (7-8 minutes).
Grease a bowl, roll ball of dough in, and cover with a damp tea towel.
Let it rise for 1 ½ hours in a warm spot.
Then separate into buns and place them onto a lightly greased baking tray with 1 cm in between each to allow room for expansion. Cover and leave to rise for another 45 minutes.
Once they have been left to rise, create the cross paste with a bit of flour and water and mix into a smooth paste.
Preheat your oven to 200 C.
Next is piping. This step is the best part for your child to get involved. Put the paste into a baking paper funnel or small piping bag and let him or her take the lead and make their best cross-shape on top of each bun just before baking.
Bake for 15-20 minutes until golden.
Meanwhile make the glaze with a mixture of apricot jam and a tablespoon of hot water.
Once the buns are golden, remove them from the oven and brush them with the glaze while they are still hot.
Cool for 20 minutes to allow the glaze to set, and then enjoy all together as a family.
Have a Happy Easter!
