Easy No-Knead Vegan Hot Cross Buns: Your Perfect Homemade Easter Treat

2 weeks ago

Inspired by: @atozee

Easter is a time for joy, togetherness, and, of course, delicious food! While traditional hot cross buns often contain dairy and eggs, our community editor, Zee (@atozee), has a brilliant solution. He's generously shared his no-knead vegan hot cross bun recipe that makes preparing this classic Easter treat a breeze.

Whether you're searching for a delightful holiday breakfast, a comforting snack, or a thoughtful gift for loved ones, these plant-based buns are wonderfully moist, perfectly spiced, and surprisingly simple to make. No complicated kneading required!

Why You'll Love This No-Knead Vegan Hot Cross Buns Recipe

This recipe is designed for busy home bakers and anyone new to vegan baking. It solves the common challenge of finding delicious, dairy-free and egg-free Easter treats that don't compromise on flavor or texture. Plus, the "no-knead" method saves you valuable time and effort, proving that homemade holiday baking can be stress-free and incredibly rewarding.

Zee's expert tip for achieving the perfect balance of creaminess, sweetness, and spice involves smart plant-based swaps: using rich coconut milk instead of dairy, smooth olive oil instead of butter, and natural coconut sugar for a healthier sweetness. The result? A truly comforting and satisfying bun that everyone will adore.

Ingredients

Yields: 12 buns Prep time: 20 minutes + rising time (2-3 hours) Bake time: 20-25 minutes

For the Buns:

3 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup coconut sugar
2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 standard packet)
1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
1/2 teaspoon mixed spice (or nutmeg, allspice)
1/4 teaspoon salt
1 cup warm coconut milk (about 105-115°F / 40-46°C)
1/4 cup olive oil
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1/2 cup mixed dried fruit (such as raisins, currants, or chopped apricots)

For the Cross:

1/2 cup powdered sugar
2-3 tablespoons water or plant milk

For the Glaze (optional):

2 tablespoons maple syrup or agave syrup

Equipment

Large mixing bowl
Wooden spoon or spatula
Measuring cups and spoons
Baking sheet
Parchment paper
Small mixing bowl (for cross icing)
Piping bag or ziploc bag with a corner snipped (for cross)
Pastry brush (for glaze)

Instructions: How to Make Your Vegan Hot Cross Buns

Combine Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, coconut sugar, active dry yeast, cinnamon, mixed spice, and salt.
Add Wet Ingredients: Pour in the warm coconut milk, olive oil, and vanilla extract. Stir with a wooden spoon or sturdy spatula until a shaggy, sticky dough forms.
Fold in Dried Fruit: Gently fold in the mixed dried fruit until evenly distributed throughout the dough. Be careful not to overmix.
First Rise: Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for 2-3 hours, or until the dough has doubled in size.
Shape the Buns: Once risen, gently deflate the dough and transfer it to a lightly floured surface. Divide the dough into 12 equal portions. Shape each portion into a smooth, round bun.
Second Rise: Arrange the buns on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, ensuring about an inch of space between each. Cover loosely and let rise for another 30-45 minutes, or until noticeably puffy.
Preheat Oven & Prepare Glaze: While the buns are rising for the second time, preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C). Prepare the glaze by whisking maple syrup or agave syrup with a tablespoon of warm water; set aside.
Bake: Bake the buns for 20-25 minutes, or until they are beautifully golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
Glaze Hot Buns: As soon as the buns come out of the oven, brush them generously with the prepared maple or agave glaze. This gives them a beautiful shine and extra sweetness.
Make the Cross Icing: In a small bowl, whisk together the powdered sugar with 2-3 tablespoons of water or plant milk until a thick, smooth paste forms. It should be pipeable but not too runny.
Pipe the Crosses: Once the buns have cooled slightly (they don't need to be completely cold), transfer the icing to a piping bag or a ziploc bag with a tiny corner snipped off. Pipe a cross on top of each bun.
Serve & Enjoy: Serve warm or at room temperature. These buns are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored for a few days.

Variations and Adaptations

Chocolate Chip Hot Cross Buns: For chocolate lovers, swap out half of the dried fruit for vegan chocolate chips or chopped dark chocolate.
Apple & Cinnamon: Add 1/2 cup of finely diced apples along with the dried fruit for a fresh, fruity twist.
Spiced Pumpkin: Incorporate 1/4 cup of pumpkin puree and an extra 1/2 teaspoon of mixed spice (or pumpkin pie spice blend) into the dough for a unique fall-inspired bun.
Gluten-Free Option: While this recipe uses all-purpose flour, you can experiment with a high-quality gluten-free all-purpose flour blend (ensure it contains xanthan gum) for a gluten-free version. Results may vary slightly, but it's worth a try!

Tips for Perfect Hot Cross Buns

Warm Place for Rising: Ensure your rising environment is truly warm (around 75-80°F or 24-27°C) for optimal yeast activity. A slightly warmed oven (turned off, with the door ajar) or a sunny spot works well.
Don't Overbake: Overbaking can lead to dry buns. Keep a close eye on them; they should be golden brown and feel light.
Storage: Store leftover buns in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days, or freeze for longer storage. Reheat briefly in the microwave or oven for best results.
Serving Suggestions: These buns are delightful on their own, or sliced and toasted with a spread of vegan butter or your favorite fruit jam.

Looking for more easy and delicious vegan recipes? Explore these favorites from abillion:

Ready for a sweet morning treat? Check out our Quick & Easy Vegan French Toast Recipe.
Craving something comforting and creamy? Discover our Next-Level Creamy Vegan Orzo.
For another festive dessert, try our Easy Vegan Cinnamon Rolls.
Explore more delightful vegan desserts with our Delicious & Easy Vegan Banana Recipes.

Ready to bake your own batch of delightful vegan hot cross buns? We can't wait to see what you create!

Share your creations! Tag abillion on social media and let us celebrate your delicious success.

Assorted ingredients laid out for baking no-knead vegan hot cross buns Image: Freshly baked, glazed, and cross-piped vegan hot cross buns ready to be enjoyed during Easter celebrations.