A delicious, single serve hot cross bun which takes three minutes to whip up thanks to some microwave magic- Paleo, gluten free, sugar free, dairy free and with a vegan option too- Don’t forget the butter!
Single serve microwave friendly recipes make up a significant proportion of my e-cookbook. A couple of weeks ago I was experimenting with a banana bread recipe. What turned out was something fluffy, dense but tasting nothing like banana bread.
…..the mashed banana was still in a bowl on the counter.
Fail bloody whale.
I’m not one to ever waste food so of course this was going to be eaten. I whipped out the butter and some cinnamon thinking I could just call it a pathetic excuse for cinnamon toast but the fluffy texture reminded me of a seasonal treat I’d enjoy once or twice a year- Hot Cross Buns.
I have three issues with Hot Cross Buns.
1. Hot Cross Buns are something I do enjoy but only once or twice a year. The main reason is that compared to other baked goods or seasonal treats, they are quite bland. It’s quite a simple flavour enhanced by spiced fruits and cinnamon. What makes it an appealing treat or snack is the butter. Lashings of butter.
2. Hot cross buns in Australia come in a minimum pack of six. Most are packs of twelve or for those who embrace it, twenty four.
3. The white cross on them is NOT icing. In fact, the white cross is the worst part of the entire bun. Growing up, I would eat around the bun and save that to last and be treated with flour. Plain flour. Plain flour fooling people worldwide that it is a delicious glaze.
We could totally add a fourth to that list which is that most are made with standard wheat flour without taking into account dietary restrictions or lifestyle choices.
This microwave hot cross bun is single serving, takes three minutes to make and use minimal ingredients. It’s paleo, gluten, grain and dairy free and there’s also a vegan option. Please note- The vegan option does NOT turn out as aesthetically pleasing if you do not grease the bowl and not watch the microwave (lesson learnt).
Instead of using a mixed spice blend, I opted to use cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves because sometimes, those blends go heavy on the star anise and we don’t want liquorice buns here.
The ‘cross’ is completely optional but I know many of you like having a protein option and this is where the beauty of protein frosting comes in. Alternatively, you can use coconut butter slightly thawed or just omit it and go to town on the best part- Buttering the beauty up.
Set three minutes aside to make this microwave Hot Cross Bun and be thankful you don’t have a 24 pack to run through. Actually, you’ll probably be such a fan you’d end up making them AFTER the Easter season. That’s okay.
Microwave Hot Cross Bun (Paleo, Gluten Free, Dairy Free, Vegan)
Ingredients
For the Paleo/Gluten Free Version
- 1 tablespoon almond flour
- 1 1/2 tablespoon coconut flour sifted
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon cloves
- 1-2 tablespoon dried currants/raisins/cranberries etc
- 1 tablespoon coconut palm sugar*
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder (or strictly paleo use
- 1 large egg white you can use a whole egg but it will be more flat
- 1/4 cup dairy free nut milk of choice I used unsweetened almond
For the vegan version
- 1 tablespoon almond flour
- 1 1/2 tablespoon coconut flour sifted
- 1/2 teaspoon cinnamon
- 1/4 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/4 teaspoon cloves
- 1-2 tablespoon dried currants/raisins/cranberries etc
- 1 tablespoon coconut palm sugar*
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder (or strictly paleo use
- 1 small flax egg 1/2 T flax + 1 1/2 T water
- 1/4 cup dairy free nut milk of choice I used unsweetened almond
For the frosting
- Paleo version- 1-2 T coconut cream/butter piped in a cross
- Alternative pictured- 3 T vanilla protein powder mixed with dairy free milk until a 'frosting' is formed and piped in a cross
Instructions
- In a small bowl, combine the dry ingredients and mix well.
- In a separate small bowl, combine the dairy free milk with the egg white (or flax egg) and whisk lightly. Add the mixture to the dry mixture and mix until just combined.
- Grease a large mug or deep bowl (I used a cereal bowl) generously and pour the batter in it and microwave for 1-3 minutes, depending on the microwave (I used an 800Watt microwave and as pictured, i removed it from the microwave at exactly 90 seconds).
- Allow to cool slightly before 'crossing' then slice in half and top with butter.**
Notes
** These taste even better once removed from the microwave, allowed to cool then toasted.
Do hot cross buns in your city come in preposterous quantities?
Were you fooled by faux frosting cross?
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I have never even heared of a hot cross bun let alone eaten one. But excuse me, frosting lies are a no go! Looks like a breakfast I could enjoy though. 3 minutes sound good, especially in the morning 🙂
WHAT! Juli, I’m making you one in Seattle!
I totally want this for breakfast tomorrow! Or at the beach in April. 24 of them. Seriously, TWENTY FOUR?? Aahahaa.
We eat a similar thing on our national day here in Switzerland. The cross is the Swiss Cross and is made of white flour too. WTF.
LOL! Seriously, how dare they trick us with it!
Nice! Any suggestions on what to use if almond flour is no-go because of allergies?
Definitely sub it for extra coconut or oat flour but just adjust the liquids slightly- Coconut you’ll need bit more, oat will need less 🙂
Los Angeles.
Los Angeles.
Every comment on I leave on your blog is going to be Los Angeles from now on. Because WE NEED YOU and your GENIUS!!
🙁
My beauty, I’ve ruled out California. I just can’t afford it, and can’t get a vehicle. 🙁
“Fail whale” is a new term to me and I love it :P. I’ve never had a hot crossed bun before! Totally down to trying your version, though. YUM.
It better be part of your standard vocabulary moving forward 😉
This is so cool, I need to make it before Lent is over.
Flour instead of glaze? That’s border line sacrilegious! 🙂
I know, right? Growing up, I’d continually be fooled!
Single serving recipes are perfect for so many people, including myself when I don’t to make a batch. Sharing this with my “meals for one” readers, I know they’ll love it!
Thanks so much ,Joanie 🙂
Lol, it is good to know that those random reasons for not enjoying hot cross buns isn’t just a stateside thing. And here I just thought we had no idea what we were doing…
But, this microwave version sounds just fun enough to try and see if I can spark a joy for these traditional little treats.
Hahahaha thanks Kita!
We sell hot cross buns at my work and the old people love them. I don’t get it because I tried them and it’s basically small fruit cake…in bun form. The weird candied fruit with under cooked dough and a cross on top…I’ll take a chocolate chip scone instead please. Thanks for yet another single serve microwave breakfast!
No worries! Chocolate chip scones are delicious!
I have NEVER had a hot cross bun. I don’t even know what they are actually. Crazy!!
You need to try it out- It’s the perfect excuse for butter!
Haha never thought about the pathetic-ness of the cross before – a plain flour decoration? What’s the point! I think if it had been frosting I’d have been even more obsessed with them as a kid.
Or now. I’ve managed to convince my mum to bake some real HCB’s but in the mean time I can do this!
YES! I’m making the real deal from scratch this Good Friday!
Mashed banana still in a bowl on the counter…I am laughing so hard right now…totally sounds like something I would do. Once when I was trying to make my cookies for a holiday cookie exchange, I left out the eggs, and realized it after I put them in the oven. Started over, and forgot the sugar…same deal, in the oven before I realized it. I was ready to throw in the towel, but my husband took pity on me and made the cookies for me. I no longer go to cookie exchanges…too stressful. Anyway…your hot cross bun looks great and I am amazed that it is a microwave recipe! Impressive. Pinning and sharing!
Haha you have a great husband! Oh the number of times I’ve forgotten sugar and had to tell my friends that I made a ‘savoury’ bread or muffin. Thanks so much 🙂
Unfortunately, kiss cookies don’t really work as savory, LOL!
aww, banana fail whale! I love when that happens – serendipity.
I cannot wait to make this bun!
Haha I know, right? Stupid banana.