Low Carb Macadamia Hot Cross Buns

With Anzac Day swiftly following the Easter long weekend, many may accidentally overindulge during this ten-day holiday period. With chocolate eggs to hunt and the smell of freshly baked hot cross buns constant in the air, it can be hard to be healthy during a holiday focused on unhealthy foods. Luckily, macadamias offer a delicious and nutritious solution.

As Australia's only native plant to be commercially grown, the macadamia acts as both the perfect gifting idea for your guests, and the perfect healthy treat. In other words, this nut is your answer to the ultimate guilt-free indulgence.

The healthy fats, fibre and protein in nutritious macadamia nuts are proven to satisfy and aid you in resisting the urge to overeat. Macadamias are also full of phytochemicals, fibre, protein, vitamins and minerals, making them good for your heart, digestive health, antioxidant protection and blood glucose management.

Low carb macadamia hot cross buns are gluten free, grain free/paleo friendly, dairy free and low carb. These are sure to win over even the fussiest friend or relative this Easter long weekend.

Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 25 mins
Makes: 6 large

Ingredients
2 1/2 cups almond meal
5 tbsp psyllium husk
3 tsp coconut flour
2 tsp baking powder
2 tsp ground cinnamon
1 1/2 tsp all spice
1/2 tsp nutmeg
1/4 tsp ground cloves
200ml hot water
6 egg whites
6 tbsp (120ml) freshly squeezed orange juice
2 tbsp maple syrup
Zest of 2 oranges
2 tsp vanilla extract

50g dark chocolate, chopped
1/3 cup Australian macadamias chopped

Crosses:
50g dark chocolate
1 tbsp macadamia nut butter

Method
Pre-heat oven to 180'C. Line a baking tray.
In a mixing bowl combine dry ingredients.
In a separate mixing bowl whisk egg whites until frothy. Add in orange juice, maple syrup, orange zest and vanilla extract. Set aside.
Pour hot water into dry ingredients and mix through. Stir in wet mixture and combine.
Fold through chocolate chips and macadamias.
Shape dough into 6 buns. Mixture will be wet so work quickly and use floured hands (coconut flour) to assist.
Place buns onto baking tray slightly touching each other.
Bake in oven for 25- 30 minutes or until golden on top and cooked through.
Allow to completely cool. Once buns are cool, melt dark chocolate with macadamia nut butter. Spoon into a piping bag and make crosses on top of buns.
Store in fridge to set chocolate and until ready to eat.

Options:
- Add chopped dates or organic dried fruit

By nutritionist and recipe creator Casey-Lee Lyons from www.livelovenourish.com.au