Like everything we do at Functional Self, our recipes have been designed to help you achieve your optimal state. The foods we eat impact our energy levels, mood and cognitive ability, as well as supporting a healthy gut microbiome. We wanted to create a recipe series that focuses on nutrient-dense real foods that will help you reach your highest level of health and vitality. Functional Self recipes are packed full of nourishing ingredients and will help to provide a clear path ahead for clean eating, regardless of your starting off point.

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Spice up your life with these gluten-free, dairy-free Ghee-Spiced Hot Cross Buns! Loaded with cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger, this is an easy way to boost your antioxidant intake. Baked to perfection with ghee, these buns are easy to make and oh-so-delicious. Serve them warm with a dollop of honey and ghee and get ready to indulge in bun heaven!

 

Level: Moderate
Time: 2 hours in total
Makes: 12 buns

 

Ingredients: 

 

For the buns:

  • • 2 cups gluten-free flour (can use a pre-made gluten-free flour blend or a mix of almond flour, coconut flour, and tapioca flour)

  • • 1/4 cup coconut sugar

  • • 1 tbsp. active dry yeast

  • • 1 tsp. ground cinnamon

  • • 1/4 tsp. ground nutmeg

  • • 1/4 tsp. ground ginger

  • • 1/4 tsp. salt

  • • 1/2 cup raisins or currants

  • • 2/3 cup unsweetened almond milk

  • • 2 tbsp. ghee, melted

  • • 2 large eggs

  • • Zest of 1 orange

  •  

For the crosses:

  • • 1/4 cup gluten-free flour

  • • 3-4 tbsp. water

  •  

For the glaze:

  • • 1/4 cup honey

  • • 1 tsp. hot water

  • • 1 tbsp. ghee, melted

  •  

Directions:

  1. 1. In a large mixing bowl, whisk together the gluten-free flour, coconut sugar, yeast, cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and salt.

  1. 2. Stir in the raisins or currants.

  1. 3. In a separate bowl, whisk together the almond milk, melted ghee, eggs, and orange zest.

  1. 4. Add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and mix until a dough forms.

  1. 5. Knead the dough on a floured surface for a few minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic.

  1. 6. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about an hour.

  1. 7. Preheat the oven to 190°C. Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces and form each piece into a ball. Place the balls on a greased baking sheet and let them rise for another 15-20 minutes.

  1. 8. Mix the gluten-free flour and water together to form a paste. Use a pastry bag or a plastic bag with a corner cut off to pipe crosses onto the top of each bun.

  1. 9. Bake the buns for 15-20 minutes, until they are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped.

  1. 10. Mix the honey, hot water, and melted ghee together to make the glaze. Brush the glaze over the buns while they are still warm.

  1. 11. Let the buns cool for a few minutes before serving.

  2.  

This recipe uses ghee instead of butter to add richness and flavour to the buns. The gluten-free flour and coconut sugar make it a healthier and gluten-free version of hot cross buns.

 

Why are spices so important? 

Spices not only add an explosion of flavour to your life, but they can also provide a hefty dose of antioxidants to your diet. Antioxidants are essential for neutralising free radicals in the body that can lead to cell damage and inflammation. Enter the ORAC scale, which measures the antioxidant capacity of foods and substances. Spices like cinnamon, nutmeg, and ginger have high ORAC values, making them a great addition to your diet for fighting off disease and promoting overall health. So, don't be afraid to spice up your meals and boost your health at the same time!