Raw cinnamon buns recipe

This raw cinnamon buns recipe proves that you can get the satisfying doughy texture of bread while following a raw food diet

Whether you’re a serious raw food advocate or just like to try the recipes every now and then, you’ll love this one for cinnamon buns from The Power of Living Raw by Nicky Arthur. The perfect sweet treat, these flavour-filled favourites of ours really satisfy the sweet tooth without the associated guilt or regular sweet breads.

Makes 6

Ingredients:

For the buns

1⁄2 cup (13⁄4 oz/50 g) flax meal (ground linseeds)

1 cup (31⁄2 oz/100 g) almond flour

1⁄2 cup (13⁄4 oz/50 g) pecans, finely chopped

1⁄2 cup (13⁄4 oz/50 g) spelt flakes

1 tsp ground cinnamon

3 dates, soaked in 1⁄2 cup (4 fl oz/125 ml) filtered water for 10 minutes

1 tbsp chia mixed with 1/3 cup (21⁄2 fl oz/75 ml) filtered water

11⁄2 tbsp olive oil

1 cup (8 fl oz/250 ml) filtered water

For the filling

1/3 cup (21⁄2 oz/75 g) almonds, soaked in filtered water for 3 hours

1⁄2 cup (13⁄4 oz/50 g) cashew nuts, soaked in filtered water for 3 hours

1 cup young coconut (the white part)

2 fresh dates blended with 3 tbsp filtered water

1⁄2 tsp vanilla extract

1/3 cup (13⁄4 oz/50 g) raisins

For the icing

1⁄2 cup (4 oz/115 g) cashew butter

2 tbsp maple syrup (not raw)

1⁄2 tsp ground cinnamon powder

3 tsp filtered water

Method:

1. To make the buns, combine the flax meal, almond flour, finely chopped pecans, spelt flakes and cinnamon in a large bowl.

2. In another bowl, combine the date paste, olive oil and water. Mix the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients.

3. Spread in a rectangle on baking paper or a sheet of Teflex to less than 1⁄2 in (1.25 cm) thick. Dehydrate at 145°C/290°F for 30 minutes. Peel off the paper and dehydrate at 115°C/240°F for another 20 minutes.

4. Meanwhile, prepare the filling. Tip the drained soaked almonds and cashews into the bowl of a food processor or blender and process with the coconut, dates and vanilla until smooth. Stir in the raisins.

5. To make the icing, mix all the ingredients together in a small bowl.

6. Place a bun on a serving plate. Spread with filling and roll up carefully like a bun shape, or spread on top and add icing. Serve with thawed frozen boysenberries.