We tend to think of hot cross buns as an Easter treat. However, National Hot Cross Buns Day is this week. We’re always willing to celebrate a lighthearted holiday, and we love eating foods that are outside of our everyday diet. It adds variety and excitement.
The problem with hot cross buns is that they are high in carbs. But with a few tweaks, they can be enjoyed by people with blood sugar concerns. Here are four low-carb versions you can make to celebrate the buns this week!
We’re starting off with a classic iced bun. This version cuts out the fruit that is often – but not always – included in the buns to lower the carb count. It also includes whey powder to increase the protein. Each bun has 14 grams of protein. A serving has 295 calories, 6.8 grams of carbs, 3.4 grams of fiber and 24.7 grams of fat. Get the recipe.
These may not look traditional. However, they have all the flavors of a hot cross bun. The recipe suggests using dark chocolate if you want to pipe on a cross if the design element is important to you. While they cut out the fruit of the bun, they include all the spices and have lemon and orange zest to provide some fruitiness. They also contain golden flax meal to make the buns more bread-like and more like old-fashioned hot cross buns. A serving has 181 calories, 12 grams of carbs, seven grams of fiber and 13 grams of fat. Get the recipe.
These buns are soft and light as they are yeasted. The apple cider vinegar and ginger in the dough rises the buns higher. They also include fruit. But it’s in the form of candied peel instead of raisins. Homemade candied peel is much lower in carbs than raisins. Oat fiber and psyllium husk powder add fiber to the buns while Greek yogurt keeps them light and moist. A serving has 273 calories, 13 grams of carbs, eight grams of fiber and 22 grams of fat. Get the recipe.
Here in San Diego, it is well into the 90s this week. We’re not turning on our oven if we can avoid it. Our team is living on salads, sandwiches and other cold food meals. If you want to celebrate this holiday but cannot face turning on your oven, this version made of protein powder and almond meal is your best option. It’s also the only version that includes dried fruit. Reading through the instructions, we think the dried fruit is included because it’s a little sticky when it goes through a food processor and acts as a binder. While these aren’t traditional hot cross buns, if you live somewhere hot, a cold cross bun might be exactly what the thermometer ordered! A serving has 129 calories, 16 grams of carbs and 5.9 grams of fat. Get the recipe.
We hope you enjoy these recipes and that they let you enjoy this out-of-season treat!
