Vegan Hot Cross Buns

As someone who loves to bake I love incorporating kitchen magic whenever I can. I knew to celebrate Ostara, as known as the Spring Equinox. I had to do a traditional Ostara (and Easter) bake. I explored Pinterest to see what my option were and found that hot cross buns were made in Ireland on the Equinox, with the crosses representing the balance of light and dark. Quickly I found a vegan recipe and got baking!

The first step was creating a nice and soft dough. I mixed together the ingredients including cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and orange zest, and salt that each hold their own power in kitchen magic. To infuse their magic into the bake I recited what I wanted them to bring as I added them in.

Cinnamon- abundance & protection

Nutmeg- luck & prosperity

Ginger- energy

Orange- vitality

Salt- protection

Then I kneaded the dough for about five minutes, kneading in positive energy and intentions. As I baked I listened to soft instrumental music reminiscent of Spring. Here’s a playlist I made that includes some beautiful songs that I feel capture the early spring energy with ethereal and magical songs.

I let the dough rise and during that time I spoke with my tarot cards to see what energy spring was going to bring. Based on my reading I knew it was time for me to work on my blog (which you’re reading now!). The cards told me I had to explore creativity and passion.

After the dough finished its first prove I shaped it into a log and cut it into 12 slices and formed them into balls. Letting them rise covered for another 45 mins. During this time I went on a walk with my dog and got some reading in.

Now it was time to pipe the crosses on the buns and bake! As I piped the crosses I thought of balance and bringing in that energy of light and dark. I popped them into the oven and baked them at 400 for 22 mins.

They came out perfectly!! I brushed them with an apricot glaze and they looked like they could sit in a bakery window, my fiancé even pretended to give me the infamous “Hollywood Handshake” from The Great British Baking Show. We enjoyed them with some chamomile and rose tea as I watched the candle on my altar and reflected on the energy of Ostara.