Baking Hot Cross Buns With Whole Wheat Flour: Healthier Options

Ingredients for Whole Wheat Hot Cross Buns

Whole wheat flour

– 2 teaspoons active dry yeast

– 1 cup warm milk

– 1/4 cup honey or maple syrup

– 3 cups complete wheat flour

– 1 teaspoon salt

– half cup unsalted butter, melted

– 1 egg, beaten

– 1 cup golden raisins (optional)

– half cup chopped walnuts (optional)

– 1/4 cup orange peel

– 1/4 cup water

– 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour

Yeast

Ingredients for Whole Wheat Hot Cross Buns:

• 1 cup warm milk

• 1 tablespoon plus 1 teaspoon lively dry yeast (one package)

• 1 tablespoon sugar

• 1 teaspoon salt

• 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature

• 1 giant egg, at room temperature

• 1 cup entire wheat flour

• 1 ¾ cup all-purpose flour

• ¾ cup dried cranberries

• ½ cup chopped walnuts

• ¼ cup brown sugar + 1 tablespoon for topping

• 1 tablespoon ground cinnamon

• ½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

• ½ teaspoon grated orange peel

• 1 tablespoon water combined with 1 teaspoon cornstarch for a paste

• 2 tablespoons milk

• 1 tablespoon honey

• ¼ cup flour

• Sprigs of contemporary thyme or rosemary, for decoration (optional)

Yeast:

• Active dry yeast is a sort of yeast typically utilized in baking. It is a dormant type of yeast that’s activated when it is mixed with warm water and sugar. Once activated, the yeast feeds on the sugar and releases carbon dioxide gasoline, which causes bread to rise.

• To activate the yeast, mix it with warm water (105-115°F) and slightly bit of sugar. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes, or till the yeast is foamy. This indicates that the yeast is active and ready to use.

• If the yeast does not activate, it might be too old or the water may be too hot. If you’re not sure if the yeast remains to be alive, it is best to discard it and begin over with a new packet.

Brown sugar

Brown sugar is a type of sugar that has been caramelized, giving it a light brown color and a barely candy, molasses-like flavor. It is much less refined than white sugar and incorporates more minerals, such as calcium, iron, and potassium.

Brown sugar is utilized in a selection of baking recipes, including hot cross bun cross buns. It provides a refined sweetness and depth of flavor to the buns, and it helps to keep them moist.

When baking hot cross buns with entire wheat flour, it may be very important use brown sugar that’s not too darkish. Dark brown sugar has a stronger taste and might make the buns too sweet.

If you’re using darkish brown sugar, you may need to scale back the amount of sugar that you add to the recipe. You can even use a mix of brown sugar and white sugar to get the desired flavor.

Milk

Hot cross buns are a traditional Easter treat that can be made with entire wheat flour for a more healthy option. Whole wheat flour is an effective supply of fiber, which can help to maintain you feeling full and happy after eating. It additionally has a decrease glycemic index than white flour, which means that it’ll not trigger your blood sugar ranges to spike as quickly.

To make whole wheat hot cross buns, you will need the next ingredients:

2 cups complete wheat flour
1/2 cup milk
1/4 cup water
1 tablespoon sugar
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon yeast
1/4 cup butter, softened
1 egg
1/2 cup raisins
1/4 cup currants
1/4 cup chopped walnuts (optional)

Instructions:

In a big bowl, whisk together the flour, milk, water, sugar, salt, and yeast.
Add the butter and egg and stir until the dough comes collectively.
Turn the dough out onto a flippantly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes, or until the dough is clean and elastic.
Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or till the dough has doubled in size.
Punch down the dough and divide it into 12 equal pieces.
Shape the items into buns and place them on a greased baking sheet.
Cover the buns with plastic wrap and let rise in a heat place for 30 minutes, or till the buns have doubled in size.
Preheat the oven to 375 levels F (190 levels C).
Bake the buns for 20-25 minutes, or till they are golden brown.
Let the buns cool on a wire rack earlier than serving.

Enjoy!

Eggs

Eggs are an important ingredient in many baking recipes, including hot cross buns. They present construction, richness, and moisture to the buns.

For entire wheat hot cross buns, you can use both complete eggs or egg whites. Whole eggs will give the buns a richer taste and a extra tender crumb, whereas egg whites will make the buns lighter and airier.

If you’re using whole eggs, you will want to beat them until they’re light and fluffy. This will help to include air into the batter, which can make the buns lighter.

If you may be using egg whites, you will need to beat them until they form stiff peaks. This will help to offer the buns construction and lift.

No matter which sort of eggs you employ, make positive to add them to the batter gradually. This will help to prevent the batter from curdling.

Butter

Ingredients for Whole Wheat Hot Cross Buns

2 3/4 cups (350g) entire wheat flour, plus extra for dusting
2 teaspoons (7g) floor cinnamon
1 teaspoon (3g) floor mixed spice
1/2 teaspoon (2g) salt
1 tablespoon (7g) lively dry yeast
1 half cups (360ml) warm milk
1/4 cup (50g) unsalted butter, softened
1/4 cup (50g) dark brown sugar
2 eggs, beaten
1/2 cup (100g) dried blended fruit
1 tablespoon (7g) sunflower seeds
For the cross:
1/2 cup (100g) plain flour
1 tablespoon (7g) chilly water

Spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger)

Ingredients for Whole Wheat Hot Cross Buns

Spices (cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger)

Whole wheat flour – 500g (4 cups)
Warm milk – 250ml (1 cup)
Active dry yeast – 1 tsp
Sugar – 2 tbsp
Salt – 1 tsp
Ground cinnamon – 1 tsp
Ground nutmeg – 1/2 tsp
Ground ginger – 1/4 tsp
Butter – 50g (1/4 cup), softened
Egg – 1
Mixed dried fruit – 100g (1/2 cup)
Zest of 1 orange

For the cross:

Plain flour – 50g (1/2 cup)
Water – 1 tbsp

Salt

Salt

Salt is a vital ingredient in hot cross buns, because it helps to stability the sweetness of the dough and provides the buns a savoury flavour.

When using complete wheat flour, it is very important use a little less salt than when utilizing white flour, as complete wheat flour has a slightly more bitter flavour.

Here is a guide to the quantity of salt to use when making whole wheat hot cross buns:

For 12 buns, use 1 teaspoon of salt
For 24 buns, use 2 teaspoons of salt
For 36 buns, use three teaspoons of salt

Instructions for Making Dough

Proofing the yeast

1. In a big bowl, whisk together the warm water and the honey. Sprinkle the yeast over the water and let stand for five minutes, till the yeast is foamy.

2. Add the entire wheat flour, salt, and olive oil to the bowl and stir till a dough forms. The dough might be sticky.

3. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured floor and knead for 5-7 minutes, until the dough is clean and elastic.

4. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cowl with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until the dough has doubled in dimension.

5. Punch down the dough and divide it into 12 equal pieces.

6. Shape the dough pieces into buns and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

7. Cover the buns with plastic wrap and let rise in a heat place for half-hour, or until the buns have doubled in measurement.

8. Preheat the oven to 375 levels F (190 levels C).

9. Bake the buns for 20-25 minutes, or till they are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped.

10. Let the buns cool on a wire rack before serving.

Combining moist and dry ingredients

Combine wet and dry ingredients

In a big bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, salt, and spices.

In a separate bowl, whisk collectively the warm milk, melted butter, beaten egg, and yeast.

Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients, mixing till a dough forms.

Kneading the dough

Instructions for Making Dough:

Ingredients:

1 cup heat water (110-115°F)
2 tsp lively dry yeast
1 tbsp sugar
1.5 cups entire wheat flour, plus more for dusting
0.5 cups all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
1 tsp salt
0.25 cups non-dairy milk or water
2 tbsp melted vegan butter or coconut oil

Instructions:

In a big bowl, whisk together the good and cozy water, yeast, and sugar. Let stand for 5 minutes, or till the yeast is foamy.
Add the entire wheat flour, all-purpose flour, and salt to the bowl. Stir until a dough varieties.
Transfer the dough to a frivolously floured floor and knead for 5-7 minutes, or until the dough is easy and elastic.
Place the dough in a frivolously oiled bowl, cowl with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or till the dough has doubled in dimension.

Kneading the Dough:

Kneading is an essential step in bread making. It helps to develop the gluten in the flour, which provides the bread its structure and texture. Here are the steps for kneading the dough:

Transfer the dough to a flippantly floured floor.
With the palms of your hands, push down on the dough after which fold it over itself.
Repeat steps 2 and 3 for 5-7 minutes, or till the dough is clean and elastic.
Kneading the dough may be accomplished by hand or with a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook.
If the dough is just too sticky, add somewhat extra flour till it is now not sticky.
If the dough is just too dry, add somewhat extra water till it’s delicate and pliable.

Proofing and Shaping the Dough

First proofing

First Proofing

Once the dough has been kneaded, it needs to be proved. This means allowing the yeast to ferment and the dough to rise.
Place the dough in a frivolously oiled bowl, cowl it with cling movie, and go away it in a heat place for 1-2 hours, or until it has doubled in measurement.
Once the dough has proved, punch it all the way down to knock out the air bubbles and then divide it into 12 equal items.
Shape the dough items into buns and place them on a baking tray lined with baking paper.
Cover the buns with cling film and leave them to prove for an additional 30 minutes, or till they have doubled in dimension.
While the buns are proving, preheat the oven to 220°C/200°C fan/gas 7.

Dividing and shaping the dough

Proofing and Shaping the Dough

Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, and let it rise in a heat place for approximately 1 hour, or until it has doubled in measurement.

Lightly flour a piece surface. Turn the dough out onto the floured surface and punch it all the means down to launch the air bubbles.

Divide the dough into 12 equal items.

Dividing and Shaping the Dough

Roll each bit of dough into a smooth ball. Use your thumb to make a deep indentation in the center of each ball.

Lift the sides of the dough and tuck them into the center, pinching them together to seal.

Place the formed buns on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.

Cover the buns with a clear kitchen towel and let them rise in a warm place for roughly 30 minutes, or till they’ve almost doubled in dimension.

Second proofing

Once the dough has doubled in measurement, punch it down and divide it into 12 equal items.

Shape each piece into a ball and place it on a lightly greased baking sheet.

Cover the buns with plastic wrap and let them rise in a warm place for half-hour, or until they have doubled in dimension.

Baking the Hot Cross Buns

Brushing the buns with milk

Brushing the Buns with Milk:

Before baking, brush the tops of the buns with milk.
This will give them a golden brown colour and a delicate crust.
You can even sprinkle them with sugar or cinnamon earlier than baking for a sweeter topping.
Once the buns are baked, brush them again with milk to assist keep them moist.

Baking the buns

Baking Hot Cross Buns: A Step-by-Step Guide

Ingredients:

500g whole wheat flour, plus further for dusting
1 tsp salt
7g fast-action yeast
400ml heat milk (around 40°C)
50g butter, softened and minimize into small pieces
50g golden syrup
1 tsp vanilla extract
100g sultanas
100g combined peel (such as orange, lemon, and grapefruit)
1 free-range egg, beaten
For the crosses: 100g plain flour, 2 tbsp water, and 1 tbsp oil

Instructions:

In a big bowl, whisk together the flour and salt.

Add the yeast to the nice and cozy milk and stir until dissolved. Set aside for 5 minutes, or till the yeast turns into frothy.

Add the yeast mixture, butter, golden syrup, and vanilla extract to the dry elements. Use a wood spoon to mix till a dough types.

Turn the dough out onto a frivolously floured floor and knead for 5-7 minutes, or until it turns into easy and elastic.

Add the sultanas and blended peel to the dough and knead for another minute, or until evenly distributed.

Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with cling movie, and depart to rise in a heat place for 1 hour, or till doubled in dimension.

Preheat the oven to 220°C (425°F/Gas 7).

eight.

Line a baking tray with parchment paper.

Punch down the dough and divide it into 12 equal pieces. Roll every bit into a ball and place on the ready baking tray.

10.

In a small bowl, mix together the flour, water, and oil to form a thick paste. Transfer to a piping bag fitted with a nice nozzle.

11.

Pipe crosses onto the buns.

12.

Brush the buns with the beaten egg and depart to relaxation for quarter-hour.

13.

Bake for 20-25 minutes, or until golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.

14.

Leave to cool on a wire rack earlier than serving.

Making the Crosses

Mixing the flour and water

In a large bowl, mix the good and cozy water, entire wheat flour, and salt. Mix until a sticky dough forms.

Turn the dough out onto a frivolously floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes, or till the dough is smooth and elastic.

Place the dough in a flippantly oiled bowl, cowl with plastic wrap, and let rise in a heat place for 1 hour, or till the dough has doubled in size.

Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into 12 equal pieces.

Shape each bit of dough right into a ball and place on a greased baking sheet.

Cover the buns with plastic wrap and let rise in a heat place for 30 minutes, or until the buns have doubled in size.

Preheat the oven to 375 levels F.

For the crosses, combine the flour and water in a small bowl. Stir until a clean paste varieties.

Transfer the paste to a piping bag fitted with a small spherical tip.

Pipe crosses onto the risen buns.

Bake for 15-18 minutes, or until the buns are golden brown.

Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack earlier than serving.

Piping the crosses onto the buns

– To make the crosses, combine the remaining 1/4 cup flour with 2-3 tablespoons of water to make a easy, thick paste.

– Roll out the paste to a thickness of about 1/8-inch.

– Cut the paste into strips about 1/2-inch broad and three inches long.

– Place a strip of paste on every bun, crossing it within the middle.

– Use a sharp knife to attain the buns alongside the perimeters of the crosses.

– Bake the buns for 25-30 minutes, or until they are golden brown.

Health Benefits of Whole Wheat Hot Cross Buns

High in fiber

Whole wheat hot cross buns are a more healthy different to traditional white flour hot cross buns, as they are made with whole wheat flour, which is a good source of fiber.

Fiber is important for a nutritious diet, because it helps to keep you feeling full and happy, and might help to control your blood sugar levels and decrease your ldl cholesterol.

In addition, whole wheat hot cross buns are also a great source of other nutrients, such as iron, zinc, and magnesium.

Here are a variety of the particular health advantages of eating whole wheat hot cross buns:

Helps to keep you feeling full and happy. Fiber is a sort of carbohydrate that your body cannot digest, so it passes via your digestive system and helps to keep you feeling full and glad.
Can help to control your blood sugar ranges. Fiber may help to decelerate the absorption of sugar into your bloodstream, which may help to forestall spikes in your blood sugar levels.
Can assist to lower your cholesterol. Fiber can help to bind to ldl cholesterol in your digestive tract and stop it from being absorbed into your bloodstream.
Good source of other vitamins. Whole wheat hot cross buns are additionally an excellent supply of other nutrients, such as iron, zinc, and magnesium.

If you are looking for a healthier alternative to traditional white flour hot cross buns, then whole wheat hot cross buns are a great option.

Good supply of nutritional vitamins and minerals

Rich in dietary fiber, entire wheat hot cross buns promote digestive health and regulate bowel operate.

Abundant in B vitamins, these buns assist power metabolism, nerve perform, and cognitive well being.

Excellent source of iron, important for red blood cell manufacturing and oxygen transport throughout the physique.

Contain zinc, a mineral essential for immune perform, cell growth, and wound healing.

Provide magnesium, which aids in muscle rest, nerve operate, and blood sugar regulation.

May include antioxidants, such as lignans and ferulic acid, which protect towards cell harm and persistent ailments.

Whole wheat hot cross buns are lower in calories and saturated fat compared to traditional variations, making them a healthier indulgence.

Lower in sugar than conventional hot cross buns

Whole wheat flour is a nutritious various to white flour, as it incorporates more fiber, nutritional vitamins, and minerals.

Using complete wheat flour in hot cross buns can provide a number of health benefits:

1. Lower Glycemic Index: Whole wheat flour has a decrease glycemic index (GI) than white flour, which implies it releases sugar into the bloodstream more slowly. This might help forestall spikes in blood sugar levels and promote secure power levels.

2. Increased Fiber: Whole wheat flour is a good source of dietary fiber, which might help regulate digestion, promote satiety, and reduce the risk of persistent illnesses corresponding to coronary heart disease and type 2 diabetes.

3. Rich in Vitamins and Minerals: Whole wheat flour contains a spread of vitamins and minerals, including B vitamins, iron, and zinc. These vitamins are essential for total health and well-being.

4. Lower in Sugar: Hot cross buns made with entire wheat flour are usually decrease in sugar than those made with white flour. This can help cut back the consumption of added sugars, which might contribute to weight gain and different health issues.

Overall, incorporating complete wheat flour into hot cross buns can improve their dietary worth and supply several well being benefits.