Vegan Spelt Hot Cross Buns

 

1 ½ cups almond milk

1 teaspoon sugar

1 tablespoon dairy free spread

2 teaspoons active yeast

4 cups of wholemeal spelt flour (a 50/50 mix of wholemeal and plain would work well also)

1 teaspoon cinnamon

½ teaspoon mixed spice

½ teaspoon ground nutmeg

2 teaspoons sugar

1 ¼ cup sultanas

1 tablespoon orange zest

Crosses:

½ cup brown rice flour (or other lightly colour gluten free flour of choice.)

5 tablespoons water

Glaze:

1 tablespoon sugar

1 tablespoon warm water

1/2 teaspoon cornflour 

Heat milk until almost boiling. Stir in first measure of sugar and spread until spread melts. Set aside until lukewarm. Sprinkle yeast over and leave for 15 minutes or until frothy. In a bowl, add flour, spices and zest. Make a well in the centre of dry ingredients. Pour yeast mixture in. Beat in to a soft dough, adding more flour if the dough is too sticky. Mix in sultanas. Turn out onto lightly floured surface. Knead until smooth and elastic or until dough springs back when lightly touched. Lightly brush bowl with oil. Place dough in bowl. Cover and leave in a warm place until double in size. Punch dough down in centre with your fist and knead lightly. Divide mixture in even-sized pieces. Shape into balls.  Place buns on an oven tray lined with baking paper. Cover and leave in a warm place until double in size. Pipe crosses on each bun. Bake at 200C for 15 minutes. Remove from oven and brush with glaze. Cool hot cross buns on a cooling rack.

 

Crosses:

Mix flour and water together until smooth. Place mixture into a small plastic bag. Snip across one corner to form a hole for piping. Twist top of bag to hold dough firm, and squeeze to pipe.

Glaze:

Put all ingredients in small bowl. Stir until sugar is dissolved. Add cornflour to thicken.

La Dolce Vita

"Some people walk in the rain, others just get wet."

 -Roger Miller

Summer is quickly slipping through my fingers as I now begin to grasp uni life for the second year. The energy of this year is overwhelming at times. Meditation, yoga and raw chocolate are my elixirs of choice to ease the tension. But sometimes life calls for something a bit different to shake it off.  My friend spontaneously asked me to be her little sisters model for her school project. The next afternoon involved running through vineyards in the rain and getting changed in the back of a hatchback. 

Grandma Complex

“ You are imperfect, permanently and inevitably flawed. And you are beautiful.” 

― Amy Bloom

This place reminds me of my grandma. As a young woman she would wander through the Wintergardens on her lunch break from working in the city, just as I am today. The exterior is spotted and worn now but to me it is the most alluring element it possesses. I am in awe of it's endurance and the gems that occupy it's dusty barricade. I trace through the pathways brimming with bright-eyed flowers, marvelled by array. Like a kid in a candy shop. But out of all the optical delights the sunflowers remain my most cherished. 

Playsuit: Little One | Blouse:Thrifted | Bag:Thrifted | Shoes:Thrifted | Belt:Thrifted | Hat:Thrifted | Sunglasses: Cotton On

Musings: Floral Fancies

 Playsuits, 40's-50's, brogues, sun hats, floral prints, clubmaster sunglasses & messy hair.

Click on images for source.

With Grace In Your Heart

The familiar southerly winds howled and danced through the valley provoking me to release all control over my hair. Living at the top of a valley proves this to be an all to regular feat I must face. But then, who can argue with mother nature?  

Kimono: Jetsetbohemian | Top: Thrifted | Skirt: Roxy | Shoes: No1 Shoes | Necklace: Lovisa
Photos by Abby. Edited by myself.