Whip Up Sustainable Hot Cross Buns with a Perfect Coffee Pairing
Sustainable Hot Cross Buns Recipe
Ingredients:
- 500g of flour (preferably organic and locally sourced)
- 75g of coconut sugar (or substitute with a natural sweetener of your choice)
- 1 tsp of salt
- 2 tsp mixed spice (think cinnamon, nutmeg, allspice, and cloves or whatever takes your fancy)
- 50g unsalted butter, cut into pieces
- 200ml milk (or a plant-based alternative from your local market)
- 1 egg, beaten (free-range, of course!)
- 200g mixed dried fruit
- 7g dried yeast
Instructions:
- Mix It Up: Combine flour, sugar, salt, and mixed spice in a large bowl. Rub in the butter using your fingertips until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs.
- Activate the Yeast: Warm the milk to about 42°C (just above body temperature), then dissolve the yeast into it. Add this to your dry mixture along with the beaten egg.
- Knead the Dough: Work the mixture into a dough and knead for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Incorporate the dried fruit towards the end of kneading.
- First Rise: Place your dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place until doubled in size - about 1 hour.
- Shape and Second Rise: Knock back the dough, then divide and roll into buns. Place on a baking tray, cover, and allow to rise for another hour.
- Bake to Perfection: Preheat your oven to 220°C. Bake the buns for 20 minutes until they are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped.
- Glaze and Serve: Brush with a simple syrup glaze for that traditional shiny finish. Serve warm with butter or a drizzle of honey.
Why Baking at Home is a Basket of Benefits:
Know Your Ingredients
Choosing local ingredients not only supports local farmers but ensures that you’re baking with the freshest and most flavourful components.
Healthier Choices
Home baking allows you to control what goes into your food, avoiding the excess fats, sugars, and preservatives often found in store-bought options.
Waste Not
By planning your meals and understanding your consumption, you significantly reduce food and packaging waste. Plus, home baking uses less energy compared to commercial bakeries!
Pair with Pod & Parcel
Once your hot cross buns are fresh out of the oven, treat yourself to a perfect match with our Munro blend. Known for its rich chocolate and hazelnut tones, with a hint of cinnamon, Munro enhances the spicy sweetness of your buns, making every bite and sip a heavenly experience.
So there you have it, a sustainable spin on your Easter baking that's sure to add that extra sprinkle of joy to your celebrations. Got your own tips for eco-friendly Easter treats?
Share your creations and ideas with us on our socials - we’d love to hear how you’re making this Easter sustainably sweet! Find us here: Pod & Parcel Facebook and @podandparcel
