Easter is fast approaching and although the weather has been unseasonably cold I have still been enjoying all the delightful treats the season has to offer.

One of my favourite Easter treats is a hot cross bun slathered in butter; and although I am quite keen on making a lot of my food from scratch I have little time and patience for attempting gluten free bread.

This is where my Hot Cross Bun Muffins come in…

Some may consider it lazy, but making Hot Cross Buns in muffin form is the easiest way to get your Hot Cross Buns fix without the hassle of actually making bread.

As well as being gluten free, this recipe can easily be made dairy free by changing the milk for a dairy free alternative.

Hot Cross Bun Muffins – GF/DF options

Ingredients

For the muffins:

200g mixed dried fruit (I used sultanas/raisins/mixed peel)
300g gluten free self raising flour
Zest of an orange (save the juice for the icing)
1 tsp ground cinnamon
1 tsp mixed spice
1 tsp baking powder
1/2 tsp bicarbonate of soda
150g light brown sugar
2 large eggs
100 ml sunflower oil
200 ml milk (or dairy free alternative)

For the crosses:

100g icing sugar

1 – 2 tbsp of orange juice

Method:

1) Preheat the oven to 180 C/160 C fan/gas mark 4, then line a muffin tin with muffin cases.

2) In a large bowl, stir together the flour, baking powder, bicarbonate of soda, orange zest, cinnamon and mixed spice.

3) In a separate bowl, whisk together eggs, sugar, oil and milk until combined.

4) Gently mix together all the ingredients using a wooden spoon until you are left with a batter which is only just combined (don’t worry too much if there are any lumps), then stir through the dried fruit.

5) Spoon approximately 2 tablespoons of batter into each muffin case, then bake for 25 minutes, until golden brown.

6) Leave the muffins to cool completely on a wire rack, while you make icing.

7) To make the icing, mix the icing sugar with 1 – 2 tablespoons of orange juice or water, then mix until the ingredients form a pipeable paste.

8) Transfer the icing to a piping bag and pipe a cross onto each muffin.

Be sure to store the muffins in an air tight container and they will last for 4 to 5 days!

I love seeing your take on my recipes, so remember to share a snap of your Hot Cross Bun Muffins over on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #titchytonbakes.