Easy Hot Cross Buns Recipe

Hot Cross Buns are a traditional Easter favorite, but sometimes the thought of tackling a long ingredient list can be overwhelming. This Easy Hot Cross Buns recipe is perfect for those days when you want a delicious, fresh bun but don’t have the time to start from scratch. The secret? Using a bread mix as your base!

At Wasteless Pantry, we offer a variety of bread mixes—crusty or soft—and even gluten-free options for those who need them. You can customize your buns with different flavor additions to suit your cravings, making this recipe quick, easy, and perfect for everyone.

Ingredients for the Bread Base:

500g bread mix
7g dried yeast
250g lukewarm water

Optional Add-ins:

Traditional Hot Cross Buns:

65g sultanas
65g currants
10g mixed spice

Chocolate Lovers:

25g cocoa powder
50g chocolate chips
Use melted chocolate for the cross

Choc Cherry:

25g cocoa powder
50g chocolate chips
65g glace cherries

Apricot & Almond:

125g diced apricots
125g sliced almonds

Date & Walnut:

125g chopped dates
125g walnuts
7g ground cinnamon

Instructions:

Prepare the Dough: Mix the bread base ingredients—500g bread mix, 7g dried yeast, and 250g lukewarm water—until a smooth dough forms. Add any of the optional ingredients to customize your buns.
First Proof: Cover the dough with a damp tea towel and let it proof for 10 minutes.
Shape the Buns: Knock down the dough, then form it into 6-8 evenly sized buns. Place them approximately 1cm apart on a greased tray.
Second Proof: Cover the buns with a damp tea towel and let them proof for 40-60 minutes until they’ve risen.
Add the Cross: To make the flour paste for the cross, mix 1/2 cup plain flour with 4 to 5 tablespoons of water. Pipe the mixture across the top of the buns in a cross shape.
Bake: Bake the buns in a preheated oven at 180-190°C for approximately 20 minutes or until golden brown.
Glaze: Brush the warm buns with a sugar glaze made by mixing 1/3 cup water with 2 tablespoons of sugar.

Why Buy Your Ingredients at Wasteless Pantry?

When you purchase your bread mix, dried fruits, nuts, and spices from Wasteless Pantry, you’re not just making delicious Hot Cross Buns—you’re also contributing to a zero-waste lifestyle. By refilling your containers with our bulk ingredients, you help reduce packaging waste while still getting high-quality, fresh items for all your baking needs. Plus, we offer a range of gluten-free and alternative options to suit any dietary requirements.

This Easy Hot Cross Buns recipe is perfect for when you’re short on time but still want to create a delicious Easter treat. Customize it with your favorite flavors, and enjoy a batch of warm, freshly baked buns in no time!

Eco-friendly Kettle Cleaner

Everyone loves a clean kettle, but not everyone loves the idea of scrubbing away at built-up limescale and grime. Luckily, keeping your kettle sparkling clean doesn’t require harsh chemicals or plastic packaging. With just a few simple ingredients for eco-friendly kettle cleaner that you can refill at Wasteless Pantry, you’ll have a squeaky-clean kettle in no time!

Here are two eco-friendly kettle cleaning methods that are quick, effective, and completely waste-free.

Method 1: Lemon Power

Got a used lemon hanging around after cooking or making a drink? Don’t throw it away! You can put it to good use cleaning your kettle.

Steps:

Fill your kettle with water and toss in your used lemon (no need to waste a fresh one!).
Boil the kettle and let the water sit for about 30 minutes to loosen any mineral buildup or grime.
Once the kettle cools down, rinse it out thoroughly. Your kettle will be clean and refreshed without any hard scrubbing.

Method 2: Citric Acid Cleaner

For a faster option, citric acid is a powerful, natural cleaning agent that works wonders on kettles. The best part? You can refill your container with citric acid at Wasteless Pantry, making this method entirely waste-free!

Steps:

Fill your kettle with water and add 1 tablespoon of citric acid.
Boil the water.
Rinse the kettle after boiling, and you’re ready to brew your next cup of tea or coffee without the wait!

Benefits of Buying from Wasteless Pantry

When you purchase your cleaning supplies like citric acid from Wasteless Pantry, you’re doing more than just cleaning your kettle. You’re supporting a zero-waste lifestyle by refilling your containers and reducing packaging waste. Plus, natural cleaners like lemon and citric acid are non-toxic, biodegradable, and safe for both you and the environment.

Whether you choose the lemon or citric acid method, both are quick, effective, and completely eco-friendly. With these sustainable cleaning hacks, you can enjoy a clean kettle while helping the Earth, one cup of tea at a time!

Fig Protein Balls Recipe

Looking for a quick, healthy snack that’s also zero-waste? This Fig Protein Balls Recipe is just what you need! Packed with natural sweetness from figs and sultanas, combined with the richness of almonds and a hint of cacao, they are perfect for a boost of energy. Best of all, you can find all the ingredients at Wasteless Pantry, making this an environmentally friendly snack with no unnecessary packaging.

Ingredients from Wasteless Pantry:

130g dried figs
70g almonds
70g sultanas
1-2 teaspoons cacao powder

Instructions:

Prepare the figs by removing any stems if needed.
In a food processor or a strong blender, combine the figs, almonds, sultanas, and cacao powder.
Pulse until the mixture forms a sticky dough. If it seems a little dry, you can add a small splash of water.
Roll the mixture into bite-sized balls. You should get around 12-15 balls depending on the size.
Store the protein balls in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week. They are perfect as a snack on the go!

No-Cook and Nutrient-Packed

These fig protein balls require no cooking, making them an ideal snack when you’re short on time but still want something nutritious. The combination of figs and sultanas offers a natural sweetness without refined sugars, while almonds add a satisfying crunch and boost of healthy fats. The cacao gives it a rich, chocolaty flavor for that extra indulgence.

Why Shop at Wasteless Pantry?

By shopping at Wasteless Pantry, you can bring your own containers and reduce packaging waste, making your snack-making journey even more eco-friendly. Plus, when you buy ingredients in bulk, you can get just the amount you need, reducing food waste and saving money. All of the ingredients used in this recipe are available at Wasteless Pantry in a zero-waste format, so you can feel great about making both a healthy and sustainable choice.

These fig protein balls are perfect for a mid-morning snack, post-workout fuel, or even a healthy dessert. Enjoy the delicious, energy-packed bites while staying true to your zero-waste goals!