Vegan Hot Cross Cinnamon Rolls
With Easter just around the corner, it’s time to start thinking about all the delicious seasonal treats that make this time of year so special. One of the most beloved Easter bakes has to be the hot cross bun. It is soft, spiced, and packed with dried fruit, and it’s a true classic. But if you fancy something a little bit different this year, why not try a twist on tradition? These Vegan Hot Cross Cinnamon Rolls take all the best flavours of a hot cross bun – the warming spices and mixed dried fruit – and wrap them up in soft, fluffy, cinnamon spiced swirls.
Just like a classic cinnamon roll, they are generously filled with a sweet, buttery cinnamon spread. But instead of just cinnamon and sugar, we’ve added mixed spice. In the dough itself we have added a scattering of juicy sultanas, currants and mixed peel for that unmistakable hot cross bun flavour. And of course, no hot cross bun inspired bake would be complete without the signature cross! Here we make a sweet vanilla icing and it’s piped over the top after baking,. This will give you that traditional look with a fun new twist.
These vegan hot cross cinnamon rolls are entirely plant based but you wouldn’t know it thanks to dairy free butter and plant based milk. They are just as soft, rich, and indulgent as any non vegan version. They are perfect for Easter brunch, a cosy afternoon treat, or even a homemade gift for friends and family. Plus, your kitchen will be filled with the irresistible scent of cinnamon and spice as they bake. What more could you want?
If you like this recipe for vegan hot cross cinnamon rolls why not try my traditional vegan cinnamon roll recipe. It is perfect year round!
Hot Cross Cinnamon Rolls
Difficulty: Medium12
servings3
hours35
minutes3
hours35
minutesIngredients
- For the dough
2 Cups Soya Milk
1/2 Cup Melted Vegan Butter
2 1/2 tsp Instant Dried Yeast
5 1/2 Cups Plain Flour
1 tsp Salt
100g Mixed Dried Fruit
- For the filling
3/4 Cup Vegan Butter
3/4 Cup Light Brown Sugar
1 tbsp Ground Cinnamon
1 tbsp Mixed Spice
- For the topping
2 tbsp Apricot Jam
1 tbsp Soya Milk
1 tsp Vanilla Extract
1 Cup Icing Sugar
Directions
- For the dough
- In a large bowl mix the milk, melted vegan butter and sugar. Sprinkle on the the yeast and leave for 5 minutes.
- Add 5 cups of the flour (setting aside the other 1/2 cup for later) and the salt. Mix until combined and knead in a stand mixer for 5 minutes or by hand for 10. Cover the bowl and leave in a warm (but not hot) place for 1 hour until doubled in size.
- Add in the remaining 1/2 cup of flour and mix.
- Mix in the mixed fried fruit and knead for a couple of minutes and let it sit for 5 minutes.
- Filling
- Grease and line a rectangle baking tin (around 20x30cm).
- Roll the dough out on a clean, floured surface until it is about 1/2 cm thick and 30x40 cm.
- Spread the vegan butter over the entire surface of the dough, making sure you get to all the edges.
- Sprinkle the brown sugar, mixed spice and cinnamon over the butter and use a silicone spatula or spoon to spread both over the dough. It should combine with the butter and create a paste.
- Roll the dough up from the longer edge.
- Slice into 12 even pieces and place in the pre prepared baking tin with a bit of space between each roll.
- Cover the tin and leave in a warm place for 30 minutes. While you are waiting you can preheat the oven to 180ºc/350ºf.
- After the half hour has passed, uncover the cinnamon rolls and bake in the oven for 30-35 minutes. Check on them after 30 minutes and leave them in for another 5 if they do not look too brown.
- Allow to cool.
- For the topping
- Warm the apricot jam slightly (you can heat it in 10 second bursts in the microwave).
- Brush each roll with the warmed apricot jam to give it a nice glaze.
- Put the icing sugar into a bowl. Add the vanilla extract and mix in the soya milk a little at a time until you reach a thick but pipeable consistency. You might not need all of the milk,
- Prepare a piping bag with a round piping tip (around 5mm in size). Put the icing into the piping bag and draw a cross on the cinnamon rolls.
