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Low-Carb Yeast Hot Cross Buns

★★★★★★★★★★
4.5 stars, average of 21 ratings

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Low-Carb Yeast Hot Cross BunsPin itFollow us 148.4k

Easter just wouldn’t be Easter without hot crossed buns! After seeing Martina’s recipe for keto yeast bread, I knew I needed to try yeasted hot cross buns this year, and I was so glad I did, these turned out incredibly and got rave reviews from everyone who tried them.

I made a few slight adjustments to Martina’s recipe – she uses defatted sesame flour but I couldn’t find this so I’ve used almond meal and reduce the water and eggs accordingly. If you wish to make any other substitutions, I suggest heading over to Martina’s recipe as she has a bunch of ideas on swaps, as well as other tips and suggestions there.

Hot cross buns are usually full of sultanas which I’ve never been a fan of, so I’ve made these with chocolate chunks instead. If you prefer though, you could omit these and just keep the buns plain. The spices and the icing cross work to keep these buns tasting like the traditional version, so you don’t even need anything extra in them.

Even if a batch of ten is too much for you, these low-carb hot cross buns can be frozen for up to 3 months. You can then let them defrost at room temperature or briefly reheat in the oven and served plain, with butter or you can even try some of our sugar-free berry jams!

Hands-on Overall

Serving size 1 bun

Allergy information for Low-Carb Yeast Hot Cross Buns

✔  Gluten free
✔  Dairy free
✔  Nightshade free
✔  Pork free
✔  Avocado free
✔  Fish free
✔  Shellfish free
✔  Beef free
Pescatarian
Vegetarian

Nutritional values (per 1 bun)

Net carbs3.9 grams
Protein11 grams
Fat14.7 grams
Calories207 kcal
Calories from carbs 8%, protein 23%, fat 69%
Total carbs10.9 gramsFiber7 gramsSugars2.1 gramsSaturated fat2.3 gramsSodium216 mg(9% RDA)Magnesium83 mg(21% RDA)Potassium301 mg(15% EMR)

Ingredients (makes 10 servings)

Yeast starter ingredients:
  • 1 tbsp active dry yeast (10 g/ 0.4 oz) or 30 g fresh yeast (1.1 oz)
  • 1 tbsp sugar or yacon syrup (note: this won't affect the carb count)
  • 3/4 cup warm water (180 ml/ 6 fl oz)
Dry ingredients:
Wet ingredients:
  • 4 large egg white, at room temperature
  • 2 large egg yolks, at room temperature
  • 2 tbsp apple cider vinegar (30 ml)
  • 200 ml warm water (6.8 fl oz)
Glaze:
  • 1 large egg yolk
  • 2 tsp water
Icing:

Instructions

  1. Turn the light on in the oven so that it starts to warm (only the light). The temperature should be about 40 °C/ 100 °F, but no more than 45 °C/ 110 °F. If you don't have this option on your oven, preheat the oven to the lowest setting (mine is 50 °C/ 120 °F).
  2. Pour 3/4 cup of the warm water into a bowl. Add the sugar and stir until fully dissolved. Sprinkle with active dry yeast (or use 30 g/ 1.1 oz fresh yeast).
  3. Open the oven for about 30 seconds to cool down slightly before placing the yeast inside and close the door. The light will be enough to keep the bowl warm. Allow to proof for around 10 minutes. When ready, the yeast will be frothy and will have grown in volume.
    Low-Carb Yeast Hot Cross Buns
  4. While the yeast is proofing, place all of the remaining dry ingredients in another bowl. Mix to combine or use a hand mixer to process well. If you want to add chocolate chunks or any other add ins, add these in now as well. You can even add some of my Sugar-Free Cranberry Raisins! Low-Carb Yeast Hot Cross Buns
  5. Once the yeast has proofed, remove the bowl from the warm oven. Keep the light in the oven on.
  6. Add the egg whites and yolks to a large bowl with the vinegar and warm water. Use a hand mixer or a stand mixer and process until well combined. Add the yeast mixture and continue mixing until combined.
    Low-Carb Yeast Hot Cross Buns
  7. Add the dried mixture, about 1/2 cup at a time and process well. Gradually add more until you use all of it.
  8. Lightly wet your hands and form the dough into evenly sized balls (around 8 – 10). Place on a lined baking tray, and place in the oven and let proof with the oven light on to 60 minutes or until doubled in size. Once the dough has proofed, remove from the oven.
    Low-Carb Yeast Hot Cross Buns
  9. Preheat the oven to 195 °C/ 380 °F (conventional), or 175 °C/ 350 °F (fan assisted). Whisk the remaining egg yolk with about 2 teaspoons of water. Gently brush on top of the bread without pressing too much (do not deflate the bread).
  10. Bake for 15 minutes, then check, and if too brown by this stage, cover with foil. Bake for a further 10-15 minutes.
    Low-Carb Yeast Hot Cross Buns
  11. Once baked, remove from the oven and let cool on the pan 15 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.
  12. Make the icing by mixing the powdered sweetener with the water to form a paste. You want the paste quite thick, but if too thick thin with an extra teaspoon of water. Pipe onto the buns in a cross. Allow to set.
    Low-Carb Yeast Hot Cross Buns
  13. Once completely cool, slice in half and serve with warm butter and/or low-carb chia jam. Store at room temperature in a sealed container for up to 3 days. To store for longer, freeze for up to 3 months.
    Low-Carb Yeast Hot Cross Buns

Yeast Hot Cross Buns
Step by Step

★★★★★★★★★★
4.5 stars, average of 21 ratings
Yeast Hot Cross Buns
Easter just wouldn’t be Easter without these keto yeast hot crossed buns! Make them plain with cinnamon and ginger or add dark chocolate chips for an extra flavor boost.
Hands on20m
Overall2h 15m
Servings10
Calories207 kcal
Pin it

Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Turn the light on in the oven so that it starts to warm (only the light). The temperature should be about 40 °C/ 100 °F, but no more than 45 °C/ 110 °F. If you don't have this option on your oven, preheat the oven to the lowest setting (mine is 50 °C/ 120 °F).
  2. Pour 3/4 cup of the warm water into a bowl. Add the sugar and stir until fully dissolved. Sprinkle with active dry yeast (or use 30 g/ 1.1 oz fresh yeast).
  3. Open the oven for about 30 seconds to cool down slightly before placing the yeast inside and close the door. The light will be enough to keep the bowl warm. Allow to proof for around 10 minutes. When ready, the yeast will be frothy and will have grown in volume.
  4. While the yeast is proofing, place all of the remaining dry ingredients in another bowl. Mix to combine or use a hand mixer to process well. If you want to add chocolate chunks or any other add ins, add these in now as well. You can even add some of my Sugar-Free Cranberry Raisins!
  5. Once the yeast has proofed, remove the bowl from the warm oven. Keep the light in the oven on.
  6. Add the egg whites and yolks to a large bowl with the vinegar and warm water. Use a hand mixer or a stand mixer and process until well combined. Add the yeast mixture and continue mixing until combined.
  7. Add the dried mixture, about 1/2 cup at a time and process well. Gradually add more until you use all of it.
  8. Lightly wet your hands and form the dough into evenly sized balls (around 8 – 10). Place on a lined baking tray, and place in the oven and let proof with the oven light on to 60 minutes or until doubled in size. Once the dough has proofed, remove from the oven.
  9. Preheat the oven to 195 °C/ 380 °F (conventional), or 175 °C/ 350 °F (fan assisted). Whisk the remaining egg yolk with about 2 teaspoons of water. Gently brush on top of the bread without pressing too much (do not deflate the bread).
  10. Bake for 15 minutes, then check, and if too brown by this stage, cover with foil. Bake for a further 10-15 minutes.
  11. Once baked, remove from the oven and let cool on the pan 15 minutes, then transfer to a rack to cool completely.
  12. Make the icing by mixing the powdered sweetener with the water to form a paste. You want the paste quite thick, but if too thick thin with an extra teaspoon of water. Pipe onto the buns in a cross. Allow to set.
  13. Once completely cool, slice in half and serve with warm butter and/or low-carb chia jam. Store at room temperature in a sealed container for up to 3 days. To store for longer, freeze for up to 3 months.

Nutrition (per serving, 1 bun)

Calories207kcal
Net Carbs3.9g
Carbohydrates10.9g
Protein11g
Fat14.7g
Saturated Fat2.3g
Fiber7g
Sugar2.1g
Sodium216mg
Magnesium83mg
Potassium301mg

Detailed nutritional breakdown (per 1 bun)

Net carbsProteinFatCalories
Total per 1 bun
3.9 g11 g14.7 g207 kcal
Water, still
0 g0 g0 g0 kcal
Yeast, active dry yeast
0.2 g0.5 g0 g4 kcal
Yacon syrup - used with yeast
0 g0 g0 g0 kcal
Almond flour (blanched ground almonds, almond meal)
1.5 g3.7 g9.2 g103 kcal
Flax meal (flaxmeal), ground flaxseed
0.1 g1.4 g3.2 g40 kcal
Coconut flour, organic
0.6 g1 g0.9 g22 kcal
Whey protein powder (protein isolate, Jay Robb)
0.1 g2 g0 g8 kcal
Psyllium husks, whole
0.2 g0.1 g0 g1 kcal
Erythritol (natural low-carb sweetener)
0.3 g0 g0 g1 kcal
Cream of tartar, raising agent
0.1 g0 g0 g0 kcal
Baking soda, raising agent (bicarbonate of soda)
0 g0 g0 g0 kcal
Salt, sea salt
0 g0 g0 g0 kcal
Cinnamon, spices
0.1 g0 g0 g1 kcal
Spices, ginger, ground
0 g0 g0 g0 kcal
Nutmeg, spices
0 g0 g0 g0 kcal
Egg white, fresh
0.1 g1.4 g0 g7 kcal
Egg, yolk, raw, fresh
0.1 g0.5 g0.9 g11 kcal
Apple cider vinegar
0 g0 g0 g1 kcal
Water, still
0 g0 g0 g0 kcal
Egg yolk, fresh
0.1 g0.3 g0.5 g5 kcal
Water, still
0 g0 g0 g0 kcal
Erythritol (natural low-carb sweetener)
0.4 g0 g0 g2 kcal
Water, still
0 g0 g0 g0 kcal

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Dearna Bond
Creator of ToHerCore.com

Dearna Bond

Dearna is a passionate foodie and food photographer, and loves sharing her knowledge and enthusiasm for both via her food blog and online photography courses.

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Comments (2)

Thank you a hundred times for sharing this recipe. I made them in the afternoon and they were great. The best hot cross bun that I have ever made.

Thank you, glad you enjoyed!