Pasta Carbonara, Rome's recipe is so delicious and simple to make. And so good, you…
Grandmother’s Italian Hot Cross Buns – Perfect for Easter & Food Allergy Friendly
Grandmother’s Italian Hot Cross Buns – Perfect for Easter & Food Allergy Friendly!
There’s something about Easter, that always brings me back to my Italian Grandmother’s kitchen.
The scents of sweet Cinnamon, bright citrus and yeasty hot cross buns would fill the house as Grandma Marie would gently shape each bun.
These aren’t just hot cross buns – they’re generations old, treasured family recipe that are a symbol of faith, family and the love shared around a table.
Today, I am sharing my Grandma Marie’s traditional Hot Cross Buns recipe!
Soft, slightly sweet, fragrant with orange or lemon zest (or both!) & finished with incredible tasting icing to make the namesake cross on top!
Perfect for Easter Brunch, Fridays of Lent (what they truly are eating in Italy!), or anytime you would like a SOO GOOD comforting treat.
If you’ve only tasted the supermarket Hot Cross Buns, this recipe will change everything!
And the best part, they are peanut-free, nut-free and free from 7/8 of the Top 9 food allergens.
Always, adjust for your specific food allergies. To make Gluten-Free, use Better Batter Flour – our code AnEasyJourney saves you money.
Now, as these are traditional Italian Hot Cross buns, they will have some sort of liquore in them (Note: omit or contact alcohol manufacturer as in USA, alcohol does NOT have to list ingredients. For more info, see: Aperitivo: More than Happy Hour – 15 Easy Italian Cocktails You Have to Try! • World Recipes • An Easy Journey )
Also, for more #foodallergyfriendly Easter recipes see our post on:
Hop to It! Safe & Food Allergy-Friendly Easter Recipes.
Which has our AMAZINGLY moist & delicious Carrot Cake Recipe (#nutfree/#peanutfree). So good, my niece’s favorite, her Mom asked me to make this for her surprise baby shower!
OK. Back to the Hot Cross Buns!
Why You’ll Love Grandmother’s Italian Hot Cross Buns – Perfect for Easter and Food Allergy Friendly
- You’ll only need a mixer & baking pan
- Lightly sweet, not too sugary
- Quick to make from ingredients you have on hand
- Traditional for Easter & Holy Week
- So Good & Inexpensive
- Fun to Make
- Food Allergy Friendly (MOST IMPORTANT!)
In our Italian family, these would be made on Fridays in Lent & on Easter morning.
Grandma Marie would say:
The Cross on top reminds us of our Faith & the sweetness reminds us of the Joy that Christ brings.”
Now, every time I make these Hot Cross Buns with my kids, I feel like I am keeping this family tradition alive.
And it’s priceless that all of us are able to eat a sweet treat with our many food allergies to: peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, legumes, soy & dairy & meat intolerances.
If you make these scrumptious Food Allergy-Friendly Italian Hot Cross Buns, please tag us here:
Our social media:
Private Facebook Group: Food Allergy Travels and Life JOIN US! Our positive Group is here for all food allergy travels & life questions, comments, recipes & most of all, friendship!
Instagram: An Easy Journey – Where we share where we are traveling with multiple anaphylactic food allergies & what we’re eating!
& SUBSCRIBE to this Blog for much more Food Allergy Travels and Life!
Wishing you and your loved ones a very Happy & Healthy Easter!
xoxo, Cindi
Food Allergy Friendly Italian Hot Cross Buns - Grandma's Recipe
Traditional Italian Hot Cross Buns that are peanut & nut free, no kneading & super delicious!
Servings: 12 people
Ingredients
- 4-5 Cups All Purpose or GF Flour Use our link to save GF Better Batter Flour
- 1/3 Cup Sugar
- 1 Pkg. Active Dry Yeast 1/4 oz.
- 1/2 Tsp. Sea Salt fine
- 1 Cup Milk or Dairy Free Milk We use Oat milk.
- 1/4 Cup Butter - we use Earth Balance Dairy free
- 2 Eggs
- 3/4 Cup Raisins Optional: We soak overnight in Grand Marnier.
- 1/2 TSP Orange Zest
- 1 Egg Yolk For Top
- 2 TBSP Cold Water
Icing
- 1 1/2 Cups Powdered or Confectioners Sugar
- 1/4 TSP Orange Peel zested Or Lemon zest.
- 4 TSP Orange Juice Or Grand Marnier (over 21)
Instructions
- If you're going to be soaking your raisins in either 1 TBSP orange juice or Grand Marnier, do so a few hours/overnight ahead of time.
- In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer, combine flour, sugar, yeast, cinnamon, zest and salt. Set aside.
- In a small saucepan, heat milk and butter to almost small bubbles (120 degrees on instant read thermometer). Do NOT boil!
- Add to dry ingredients.
- Beat in stand mixer or with hand beater. Beat just until moistened. Don't over mix!
- Add eggs, beat until smooth.
- Stir in raisins. Mix gently 20 seconds.
- Then have mix/knead 2 minutes until a soft dough forms.
- Place in a large bowl, coated with avocado oil/EVOO/safe spray. Cover with wrap & let rise in a warm place about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Punch dough down. Then divide into 18 small buns/ball shaped.
- Place on baking trays. Cover & let rise in a warm place about 30 minutes or until doubled in size.
- Take a sharp knife or kitchen shears and cut a cross into each bun.
- In a small bowl, beat egg yolk & water, mixing with a fork 30 seconds to combine & brush gently over each bun. If omitting eggs, use oil or water as this will make a nice light golden color on buns.
- Bake in a preheated 375F oven for 18 - 22 minutes or until golden brown.
- Allow to cool on a cooling rack.
- Once cool, pipe icing into cross on buns top.
- Try to eat just 1! 🙂
#aneasyjourney #foodallergytravelsandlife #foodallergyrecipe #hotcrossbuns #foodallergy #foodallergyfriendly #Easterrecipe
Related Posts
