Name: Hot Cross Bun Banana Bread (Vegan Gluten-Free)
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 50 min
Total time: 1 h 5 min
Yield: 10
Cuisine: British
Ingredients: 120ml plant-based milk + 1 tbsp apple cider vinegar; 2 large ripe bananas, 200-220g once mashed; 60g light brown sugar; 60g caster sugar; 60g thick dairy-free yoghurt; 3 tbsp light olive oil; 1 orange, zested; 1 tsp vanilla extract; 1 tbsp ground flaxseed or chia seeds; 250g plain or GF plain flour; 2 ½ tsp baking powder; Spices: 1 tsp cinnamon, ½ tsp ground ginger, ¼ tsp ground nutmeg; 70g raisins; 2 tbsp marmalade jam; 40g icing sugar; 1-2 tbsp water

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This moist and tender Hot Cross Bun Banana Bread is packed with dried fruits, orange zest and warming spices, complete with an icing sugar cross on top. The loaf cake is sticky and zesty, made with plant-based and gluten-free ingredients.

For Aprils’ banana bread, I knew I wanted to make something perfect for Spring and Easter, and I already have quite a few chocolatey banana breads, as well as a carrot cake one, so I turned my love of hot cross buns into a cake. This super fruity, zesty and spiced loaf cake is so delicious and has the best texture – it might be my favourite loaf ever. It’s so soft and squishy, while it comes together in one bowl with simple ingredients and is naturally plant-based and egg-free, too. Pop a slice under the grill to enjoy like a hot cross bun, too, spread with plant-based butter or jam.

Close up of Hot Cross Bun Banana Bread — Hot Cross Bun Banana Bread

Why will I love this banana bread?

This banana bread is amazing:

Moist, tender and fluffy
So squishy and sticky
Packed with juicy raisins
Lightly spiced to taste just like hot cross buns
Complete with icing sugar cross on top
Comes together in one bowl
Naturally plant-based, egg-free and dairy-free
Easily gluten-free and nut-free
Made with wholesome ingredients
So delicious
Great all year round or for your Easter table
Try a slice toasted under the grill with vegan butter
Everyone will love it
Can be made ahead of time
Perfect for Spring
Swap the raisins for other dried fruits (or for chocolate chips)

If you already love the sound of this banana bread, then skip ahead to the recipe card below. Or, first let’s discuss the recipe in more detail.

An Hot Cross Bun Banana Bread — Hot Cross Bun Banana Cake

A Hot Cross Bun Banana Bread — Hot Cross Bun Banana Cake

What ingredients do I need?

You can see the ingredient with weights in the recipe card below and see my favourite and recommended products in the “shop the recipe” section.

For the banana bread:

Plant-based milk and apple cider vinegar: when stirred together, this makes a buttermilk which works to bind the batter.
Ripe banana: weigh out the mashed banana to make sure the loaf is perfect.
Light brown and caster sugar: the brown sugar adds richness and a caramel flavour, while the caster sugar is lighter, creating a moist and fluffy yet rich loaf. You can also use coconut sugar, and the loaf may be denser.
Thick dairy-free yoghurt: I use the NUSH protein yoghurt or Cocos Organic yoghurt as they are both made with simple ingredients, are high in fat and contain fermented elements.
Light olive oil: to add moisture and fat, and to keep the sponge tender.
Orange zest: this adds so much delicious orange flavour.
Vanilla extract: for flavour.
Ground flaxseed: or chia seeds to help bind the egg-free batter.
Plain or GF plain flour:
Baking powder: for the rise.
Spices: cinnamon, ginger and nutmeg.
Raisins: or you can use sultanas, or chopped up fried fruit to add the fruitiness that we love from hot cross buns.
Salt: for flavour.

Slices of Hot Cross Bun Banana Bread — Hot Cross Bun Banana Loaf Cake

Side of Hot Cross Bun Banana Bread — Hot Cross Bun Banana Loaf Cake

As for the glaze and icing:

Marmalade: I used a delicious blood orange marmalade, but any will work here to add that sticky orange top.
Icing sugar: to mix with water to make an icing sugar glaze.

Is this gluten-free and nut-free?

This is easily gluten-free, as long as you use your preferred 1:1 GF flour with xanthan gum (or add ½ tsp of your own). This is also nut-free.

Three slices of Hot Cross Bun Banana Bread — Hot Cross Bun Banana Bread

How do I make this?

This bake comes together in one bowl:

Combine the milk and vinegar: and allow to curdle.
Add in the weighed mashed banana and other wet ingredients: and sift.
Sift in the dry ingredients: and whisk until smooth.
Add in the raisins: and pour into the loaf tin.
Smooth over the top and bake: for 50 minutes or until an inserted skewer comes out clean and it’s well-risen.
Brush the hot loaf with marmalade: and then cool for a bit in the tin.
Lift out the tin to cool fully: on a wire rack.
Mix the icing sugar and water: and decorate the loaf with a cross.
Slice and serve: or keep for later.

A slice of Hot Cross Bun Banana Bread with marmalade — Hot Cross Bun Banana Bread

How long will it last?

This loaf will keep for 3-5 days in a sealed container and pop it in the fridge overnight. You can also freeze the loaf for 1 month, wrapped well, and allow to defrost before eating.

A slice of Hot Cross Bun Banana Bread on a plate — Hot Cross Bun Banana Bread

What other recipes can I try?

For more Easter recipes and Spring banana breads: