Bun
1 tbs chia seeds
1 tbs linseeds
4 tbs water
2 ripe bananas, about 300g when peeled
8 medjool dates
85g maple syrup
3 tbs olive oil
150g brown rice flour
160g chickpea flour
1 tsp vanilla bean powder
3 tsp linseed
½ tsp ground cloves
2 tsp baking powder
1 tsp bicarbonate soda
Pinch salt
160g sultanas
Cross
65g icing sugar
Date Caramel
300g medjool dates, pitted
60g tahini
½ cup boiling water
85g maple syrup
Big pinch salt
Glaze
85g maple syrup
40g olive oil
1 tsp linseed
To Serve
Coconut Yoghurt
Banana Chips
1 to 2 tsp lemon juice
1 hour 20 min Minutes
makes 8 hot cross buns
To make buns, pre-heat oven to 180°C. Grease a rectangle slice tin with olive oil.
1Combine the chia, linseed and water in a small bowl and leave to sit for a few minutes. In a large food processor, place the soaked chia and linseed, bananas, dates, maple syrup and olive oil. Process until thoroughly combined and smooth.
2In a large mixing bowl combine the brown rice flour, chickpea flour, vanilla, linseed, cloves, baking powder, bicarb, salt and sultanas. Add the wet banana mix and use your hand to finish bringing the dough together but do not overmix. Be gentle with the dough to keep it as light as possible.
3Weigh your dough and divide that weight by 8, then weigh out your 8 portions and roll into smooth balls. Place in the greased tin. Use the end of a spoon to make a cross indentation, about 2mm deep, into the top of each bun.
4Bake for 25-30 minutes, or until browned and cooked through.
5Meanwhile, make the glaze by combining the maple syrup, olive oil and linseed and mixing well. Brush the warm hot Cross Buns with the glaze, going over them twice. Allow to cool.
6Make the cross icing by combining the icing sugar with a little of the lemon juice at a time until you have a thick paste. Use a piping bag or small spoon to fill the cross indentation on top of each bun. Allow to set.
7To make the date caramel, combine all ingredients in a food processor and process until very smooth, scraping down the sides as you go. Store in a sealed jar in the fridge for up to 10 days.
8Best enjoyed on the day of baking, or otherwise cut in half and toasted under a grill. Serve with date caramel, coconut yoghurt and banana chips.
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