Low Fat Hot Cross Buns

Indulge in the guilt-free goodness of these Low Fat Hot Cross Buns, a lightened-up take on the classic Easter treat! Perfectly spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice, and sweetened naturally with raisins, currants, and a hint of orange zest, these buns pack all the flavor with significantly reduced fat. The secret? A clever substitution of unsweetened applesauce for butter, paired with low-fat milk, creating a soft, fluffy texture without compromising richness. Each bun is topped with the signature cross and finished with a glossy apricot jam glaze for a subtly sweet finish. Whether you're celebrating or simply indulging in a wholesome snack, these buns, ready in just under 2 hours, make for a healthy, delicious addition to your baking repertoire.

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 12

Ingredients

• 500 g All-purpose flour
• 7 g Active dry yeast
• 50 g Granulated sugar
• 1 tsp Salt
• 1 tsp Ground cinnamon
• 0.5 tsp Ground nutmeg
• 0.5 tsp Ground allspice
• 300 ml Low-fat milk
• 100 g Unsweetened applesauce
• 1 Egg
• 100 g Raisins
• 50 g Currants
• 1 tbsp Finely grated orange zest
• 50 g All-purpose flour (for cross)
• 2 tbsp Water (for cross)
• 2 tbsp Apricot jam

Directions

Step 1

In a large bowl, combine the flour, yeast, sugar, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg, and allspice.

Step 2

Warm the milk to lukewarm, around 95°F (35°C), and stir in the applesauce and beaten egg.

Step 3

Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients, then pour in the milk mixture and mix to form a rough dough.

Step 4

Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic.

Step 5

Add the raisins, currants, and orange zest to the dough, kneading until well distributed.

Step 6

Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and leave to rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours or until doubled in size.

Step 7

Gently punch down the dough and divide it into 12 equal portions. Shape each portion into a smooth ball.

Step 8

Place the dough balls on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, spacing them about 1 inch apart.

Step 9

Cover again with a damp cloth and let stand for 30 minutes to rise.

Step 10

Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C).

Step 11

To make the paste for the cross, mix 50g of flour with 2 tablespoons of water to form a thick paste.

Step 12

Spoon the paste into a piping bag and pipe crosses on the top of each bun.

Step 13

Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes until golden brown and cooked through.

Step 14

While the buns are baking, gently heat the apricot jam until it becomes a thin glaze.

Step 15

Once buns are baked, remove from oven and brush them with the warm apricot glaze to give a shiny finish.

Step 16

Allow to cool on a wire rack before serving.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1294.0g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	3065.8

Total Fat 19.9g	0%
Saturated Fat 6.6g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1.8g
Cholesterol 220mg	0%
Sodium 2671.1mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 648.0g	0%
Dietary Fiber 26.6g	0%
Total Sugars 197.7g
Protein 81.1g	0%

Vitamin D 174IU	0%
Calcium 621.4mg	0%
Iron 29.6mg	0%
Potassium 2029.9mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 5.8%

Protein: 10.5%

Carbs: 83.7%