Nutella Filled Hot Cross Buns
Ingredients
Dough:
- 3½ cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 2¼ tsp active dry yeast 1 packet
- 1 cup warm plant-based milk almond, soy, or oat
- ¼ cup dairy-free butter melted
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- ¼ tsp ground nutmeg
- ¼ tsp ground allspice
- ½ cup dried fruit raisins, currants, or mixed peel
- Zest of 1 orange optional
Filling:
- ½ cup dairy-free chocolate hazelnut spread like Nutiva, Justin’s, or homemade dairy-free Nutella
Cross Paste:
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 3-4 tbsp water
Glaze:
- ¼ cup apricot jam or marmalade check for dairy-free
Instructions
Prepare the Dough:
- In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast in the warm plant-based milk. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until foamy.
- In a large bowl, combine the flour, granulated sugar, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.
- Add the melted dairy-free butter, vanilla extract, and foamy yeast mixture to the dry ingredients. Mix until a dough forms.
- Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 8-10 minutes, or until smooth and elastic.
- Add the dried fruit and orange zest (if using) and knead until evenly distributed.
- Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
Fill and Shape the Buns:
- Punch down the dough and divide it into 12 equal pieces.
- Flatten each piece into a small disc and place a teaspoon of dairy-free chocolate hazelnut spread in the center.
- Fold the edges around the filling and pinch to seal, forming a ball.
- Place the filled dough balls seam-side down on a greased or parchment-lined baking sheet.
Create the Crosses:
- Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- In a small bowl, mix the flour and water to make a thick paste.
- Transfer the paste to a piping bag or a plastic sandwich bag with a tiny corner snipped off.
- Pipe a cross over the top of each bun.
Bake:
- Bake the buns for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and cooked through.
Glaze the Buns:
- While the buns are baking, warm the apricot jam or marmalade until it’s runny.
- Brush the warm jam over the hot buns as soon as they come out of the oven to give them a shiny glaze.
Serve:
- Let the buns cool slightly before serving. Enjoy them warm or at room temperature!
Notes
- Plant-Based Milk: Use any plant-based milk of your choice for the dough.
- Dairy-Free Butter: Many brands offer dairy-free butter substitutes. Coconut oil can be used as an alternative.
- Chocolate Hazelnut Spread: Look for dairy-free chocolate hazelnut spreads at health food stores or online. Brands like Nutiva and Justin’s offer vegan options.