Gluten-Free Vegan Hot Cross Bun Loaf - Rhian's Recipes (2024)

Last updated - ; Published - By Rhian Williams 48 Comments

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This Gluten-Free Vegan Hot Cross Bun Loaf is moist, fragrant, fruity and subtly spiced. It'seasy to make as it's made in one bowl, yeast-free and no-knead. It's also refined sugar free, great for breakfast, brunch, dessert or a snack and perfect forEaster! It's a flexible recipe that can be adapted based on your taste preferences: for example, you can replace the raisins with chocolate chips or any other type of dried fruit!

Gluten-Free Vegan Hot Cross Bun Loaf - Rhian's Recipes (1)

How to make this recipe

Scroll down to the bottom of the post for the full recipe.

Gluten-Free Vegan Hot Cross Bun Loaf - Rhian's Recipes (2)

Tip: Line the tin with greased baking paper to make the loaf easier to remove afterwards.

Gluten-Free Vegan Hot Cross Bun Loaf - Rhian's Recipes (3)

How to make the cross

  • Mix together the flour and the water in a small bowl until you get a smooth, fairly thick paste.

Tip: Add the water a tiny bit at a time so you don’t add too much.

Gluten-Free Vegan Hot Cross Bun Loaf - Rhian's Recipes (4)
  • Transfer the mixture into a piping bag with a round nozzle.
  • Pipe the flour paste in one vertical line down the middle of the length of the loaf and then do two horizontal lines at even intervals.
Gluten-Free Vegan Hot Cross Bun Loaf - Rhian's Recipes (5)
  • Bake in oven for around 45 minutes.
Gluten-Free Vegan Hot Cross Bun Loaf - Rhian's Recipes (6)
  • Mix together the apricot jam and hot water.

Tip: The water is just to thin out the jam, so don’t use too much!

  • Use a pastry brush or the back of a spoon to evenly brush the jam mixture all over the top surface of the loaf.
Gluten-Free Vegan Hot Cross Bun Loaf - Rhian's Recipes (7)
  • Leave to cool and dry completely before slicing.
Gluten-Free Vegan Hot Cross Bun Loaf - Rhian's Recipes (8)

How long does this keep for?

It keeps covered in the fridge for up to a few days - best reheated in the toaster!

Substitutions you can make

  • You can useany type of oil:coconut oil, olive oil or vegetable oil.
  • You can useany type of plant-based milk:almond milk, rice milk, soy milk, cashew milk, oat milk etc.
  • You can useany type of liquid sweetener:maple syrup, agave syrup, brown rice syrup etc.
  • You can replace the ground almonds (almond meal) withground walnuts.
  • For anut-free version: replace the ground almonds (almond meal/almond flour) withground sunflower seeds.
  • You can useplain flour,wholemeal (whole wheat) flourorspelt flourinstead of the gluten-free flourif you’re not gluten-free.
  • You can either usefreshly squeezed orange juice, ororange juice from a carton.
  • You can replace the orange zest with candied orange peel or 1 teaspoon orange extract.

Flavour substitutions

  • You can replace the cinnamon with mixed spice (or a mixture of cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves).
  • You can replace theraisins/sultanas with any other dried fruit (dried cranberries, chopped dates, chopped prunes, dried mango, dried pineapple, dried papaya etc).
  • You can replace the dried fruit with chocolate chips!
Gluten-Free Vegan Hot Cross Bun Loaf - Rhian's Recipes (9)

More gluten-free vegan bread recipes

  • Gluten-Free Vegan Chickpea Bread
  • Gluten-Free Vegan Blueberry Banana Bread
  • Gluten-Free Vegan Irish Soda Bread
  • Gluten-Free Vegan Almond Bread
  • Gluten-Free Vegan Oat Bread
  • Gluten-Free Vegan Dinner Rolls
  • Gluten-Free Vegan Seeded Buckwheat Bread
  • Gluten-Free Vegan Cornbread
  • Gluten-Free Vegan Coconut Flour Bread
  • Gluten-Free Vegan Walnut Bread

If you try out this recipe or anything else from my blog,I’d really love to hear anyfeedback! Please give it a rating, leave a comment, or tag a photo @rhiansrecipes #rhiansrecipes onInstagram! Thank you.

Watch how to make it

Gluten-Free Vegan Hot Cross Bun Loaf - Rhian's Recipes (10)

Gluten-Free Vegan Hot Cross Bun Loaf

This Gluten-Free Vegan Hot Cross Bun Loaf is moist, fruity and subtly spiced. It's easy to make and perfect for Easter! Plus it's yeast-free and no-knead!

3.94 from 60 votes

Print Pin Rate

Course: Breakfast, Dessert

Cuisine: British

Keyword: gluten-free hot cross bun, vegan easter recipe, vegan hot cross bun

Prep Time: 15 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 45 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour

Servings: 12 slices

Calories: 207kcal

Author: Rhian Williams

Ingredients

  • 60 g (¼ cup) coconut oil (or sub olive or vegetable oil)
  • 60 ml (¼ cup) orange juice (freshly squeezed or from a carton)
  • 150 ml ( cup) unsweetened almond milk (or any other plant-based milk)
  • 6 tablespoons maple syrup (or sub any other sweetener)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1 tablespoon orange zest (or sub candied orange peel or 1 teaspoon orange extract)
  • 100 g ( cup) raisins or sultanas (or sub any other dried fruit)
  • 150 g (1 ¼ cup) ground almonds (almond meal) *
  • 150 g (1 ¼ cup) gluten-free flour blend (or sub plain flour if not gluten-free)
  • 2 heaped teaspoons baking powder (ensure gluten-free if necessary)
  • ¼ teaspoon bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)

For the cross (optional):

  • 3 tablespoons gluten-free flour blend (or sub plain flour if not gluten-free)
  • 2 tablespoons water (add it a bit at a time so you don’t add too much!)

To decorate (optional):

  • 1 teaspoon apricot jam
  • ½ teaspoon hot water (to thin out the jam)

Instructions

  • Preheat oven to 180 degrees Celsius (350 degrees Fahrenheit).

  • Place the coconut oil in a separate large bowl and melt over a saucepan of boiling water or in the microwave (skip this step if using any other oil).

  • Once melted, add the orange juice to the same bowl along with the almond milk, maple syrup, cinnamon, orange zest, raisins and ground almonds.

  • Sift in the flour, baking powder and bicarbonate of soda and mix well.

  • Transfer the mixture into a loaf tin lined with greased baking paper (I used a one-pound loaf tin).

For the cross:

  • Mix together the flour and the water in a small bowl until you get a smooth, fairly thick paste (add the water a tiny bit at a time so you don’t add too much).

  • Transfer the mixture into a piping bag with a round nozzle.

  • Pipe the flour paste in one vertical line down the middle of the length of the loaf and then do two horizontal lines at even intervals.

  • Bake in oven for around 45 minutes until risen and golden brown and an inserted skewer comes out clean.

  • Once out the oven, transfer to a wire rack to cool.

To decorate:

  • As soon as you’ve transferred the loaf to a wire rack, mix together the apricot jam and hot water - the water is just to thin out the jam, so don’t use too much!

  • Use a pastry brush or the back of a spoon to evenly brush the jam mixture all over the top surface of the loaf.

  • Leave to cool and dry completely before slicing.

  • Keeps covered in the fridge for up to a few days - best reheated in the toaster!

Video

Notes

*You can alternatively use almond flour.

Leave to cool and dry completely before slicing.

Keeps covered in the fridge for up to a few days - best reheated in the toaster!

Nutrition Facts

Gluten-Free Vegan Hot Cross Bun Loaf

Amount Per Serving

Calories 207Calories from Fat 108

% Daily Value*

Fat 12g18%

Saturated Fat 5g25%

Sodium 43mg2%

Potassium 120mg3%

Carbohydrates 25g8%

Fiber 3g12%

Sugar 7g8%

Protein 4g8%

Vitamin A 13IU0%

Vitamin C 4mg5%

Calcium 72mg7%

Iron 1mg6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Made the recipe?Tag @rhiansrecipes on instagram and use the hashtag #rhiansrecipes!

Disclosure: This posts contains affiliate links to Amazon. If you purchase any of these products, a small percentage will come to me with no extra cost to you! This income will go towards the running of this blog – thank you.

More Baking & Dessert Recipes

  • Gluten-Free Vegan Raspberry Madeleines
  • Gluten-Free Vegan Raspberry Muffins
  • Gluten-Free Vegan Raspberry Cake
  • Gluten-Free Vegan Orange Poppy Seed Muffins

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Reply

  1. Angela

    Gluten-Free Vegan Hot Cross Bun Loaf - Rhian's Recipes (15)
    Made The vegan GF Hot cross bun loaf.. Really like it, very moist and not too dry, hit with family. thank you..😋

    Reply

    • Rhian Williams

      Thank you so much, so happy to hear that!

  2. Millie

    This is sooooo sooooo sooooo good. I'm no baker and this is literally the one thing I make and everyone loves it!

    Reply

    • Rhian Williams

      Thank you so much, so so happy to hear that!!

  3. Stephanie

    Gluten-Free Vegan Hot Cross Bun Loaf - Rhian's Recipes (16)
    This was amazing and I'm not vegan! could I substitute the coconut for Avocado oil next time? I ran out of coconut oil and would like to make this for an Easter gift!

    Reply

    • Rhian Williams

      Thank you so much, so happy to hear that! I wouldn’t recommend avocado oil as it has a strong flavour. I’d recommend using canola oil, sunflower oil or olive oil. Hope that helps!

  4. Alex

    Gluten-Free Vegan Hot Cross Bun Loaf - Rhian's Recipes (17)
    It's jarring delicious! Couldn't believe it's gf and refined sugar free

    Thanks so much for this recipe 🙏🏼

    Reply

    • Rhian Williams

      Thank you so much, so happy to hear that!!

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Gluten-Free Vegan Hot Cross Bun Loaf - Rhian's Recipes (2024)

FAQs

Why aren t hot cross buns vegan? ›

The soft, lightly spiced fruity buns are the ultimate Easter food here in the UK but traditionally they aren't vegan friendly as they contain milk, butter and egg.

Do Aldi sell gluten free hot cross buns? ›

Foodie Market Gluten Free Hot Cross Buns 4 Pack | ALDI.

How many calories in a gluten free hot cross bun? ›

Nutritional Information
AVG. QTY PER SERVINGAVG. QTY PER 100G
ENERGY1010kJ[242Cal]1010kJ[242Cal]
PROTEIN5.8g5.8g
FAT – TOTAL – SATURATED4g 0.6g4g 0.6g
CARBOHYDRATE – SUGARS45.1g 15.1g45.1g 15.1g
3 more rows

What do the ingredients in hot cross buns represent? ›

To those practicing their faith today, a bite from a hot cross bun on Good Friday can still be an act laden with religious significance. The bread is a nod to the Communion wafer, the spices represent the spices Christ was wrapped in in his tomb and the cross is of course a reference to his crucifixion.

Which supermarket hot cross buns are vegan? ›

Gluten free. Suitable for Vegans. Free From: Artificial Colours, Artificial Flavours.

Why are hot cross buns banned? ›

Spiced buns were banned when the English broke ties with the Catholic Church in the 16th century. However, by 1592, Queen Elizabeth I relented and granted permission for commercial bakers to produce the buns for funerals, Christmas, and Easter. Otherwise, they could be baked in homes.

Is Aldi's gluten free bread vegan? ›

ALDI-exclusive liveGfree Gluten Free Wide Pan Bread is a vegan and Kosher bread option with no artificial preservatives.

Who makes Aldi hot cross buns? ›

Village Bakery Hot Cross Buns 420g/6 Pack | ALDI.

How unhealthy are hot cross buns? ›

Hot cross buns contain a little fat from butter/shortening (around 5%) and are high in carbohydrate so consideration is needed around portion size for people with diabetes. Hot cross bun sizes vary a lot. For example, one commercial variety sold in a 6 pack contains 40g carbohydrate and 920 kJ (220 calories).

Who does gluten-free hot cross buns? ›

Woolworths Free From Gluten Fruit Hot Cross Buns 4 Pack | Woolworths.

Does a gluten free bun have less carbs? ›

Like wheat bread, most gluten-free breads also contain sugars, a form of carbohydrate. So, is there carb-free bread? It is possible to make and buy bread from low-carb gluten-free flours such as almond, sesame and coconut. However, most gluten-free bread has a carbohydrate-content comparable to normal bread.

Why do Catholics eat hot cross buns? ›

They are symbolic of this significant day in the Christian faith when Jesus was crucified. Each bun is decorated with a cross made from flour paste, which represents the cross on which Christ died. The spices in hot cross buns are said to represent the spices that were used to embalm Christ after his death.

Why do people eat hot cross buns on Good Friday? ›

In the Christian tradition, the making of buns with a cross on them and consuming them after breaking the fast on Good Friday, along with "crying about 'Hot cross buns'", is done in order to commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus.

Do Catholics eat hot cross buns on Good Friday? ›

The traditional food for Good Friday is the Hot Cross Bun. These are spicy fruit buns, marked with a cross on the top, and eaten hot from the oven. The origin of the hot cross bun is simple: it is eaten on this day of fasting as a replacement for other food. Good Friday is a day when normal meals are not eaten.

What is the issue with hot cross buns? ›

Iceland is trialling a new kind of hot cross bun which has a tick on the top of it instead of the traditional cross. The supermarket faced controversy for the move on Tuesday, after it was accused of being offensive to Christians.

Why are burger buns not vegan? ›

Eggs: Although not super common, some hamburger buns may contain eggs. Look for egg-free alternatives if you're seeking vegan options. Milk or dairy derivatives: Some buns may include milk, whey, butter, or other dairy ingredients. Honey: Hamburger buns might sometimes contain honey, which is not considered vegan.

Can vegans eat hot dog buns? ›

It used to be that most store-bought hot dog buns were not vegan because they included dairy. However, these days you can find some brands that make their hot dog buns without dairy. Be sure to read the label. Of course, you can always make homemade hot dog buns, guaranteeing that they're dairy-free and egg-free.

What is religious about hot cross buns? ›

They are symbolic of this significant day in the Christian faith when Jesus was crucified. Each bun is decorated with a cross made from flour paste, which represents the cross on which Christ died. The spices in hot cross buns are said to represent the spices that were used to embalm Christ after his death.

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