Healthier Magnesium-Rich Hot Cross Buns

Ingredients:

For the Buns:

• 500g wholemeal flour
• 7g (1 sachet) instant yeast
• 50g coconut sugar
• 1 tsp ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp ground nutmeg
• 1/2 tsp ground ginger
• Zest of 1 orange
• 300ml warm unsweetened almond milk (or any preferred plant-based milk)
• 60g melted coconut oil 
• 1 egg
• 100g mixed dried fruit

• 50g wholemeal flour
• 3-4 tbsp water

For the Glaze:

• 2 tbsp sugar maple syrup
• 1 tbsp warm water

Instructions:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the wholemeal flour, instant yeast, coconut sugar, ground cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and orange zest.

2. Make a well in the centre and pour in the warm unsweetened almond milk, melted coconut oil, and beaten egg. Mix until a dough forms.

3. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 10 minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic.

4. Place the dough back into the bowl, cover with a clean tea towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

5. Once risen, knead in the mixed dried fruit until evenly distributed.

6. Divide the dough into 12 equal portions and shape them into balls. Place them on a lined baking tray, leaving space between each bun.

7. Cover the tray with a tea towel and let the buns rise for another 30 minutes.

8. Preheat the oven to 200°C (180°C fan-forced).

9. In a small bowl, mix the wholemeal flour and water to form a thick paste for the crosses. Transfer the paste into a piping bag and pipe crosses onto the buns.

10. Bake the buns in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.

11. While the buns are baking, prepare the glaze by mixing honey or maple syrup with warm water.

12. Once the buns are out of the oven, brush them with the glaze while still warm.

13. Allow the buns to cool slightly before serving. 

14. Enojy!