Vegan bakers: This tiny fruit will transform your pastries
What's the story
Currants, with their tiny size and big tartness, are a secret weapon for vegan pastry recipes. They can provide a pop of flavor and a hint of sweetness or acidity, depending on how you use them. This article shares five creative ways to use currants in vegan pastries, turning ordinary dishes into extraordinary treats.
Scones
Currant and orange scones
Pairing currants with the zest of an orange transforms the humble scone into a flavorful treat. The tartness of the currants complements the sweetness of the scone dough, while the orange zest provides a fragrant, citrusy note. Enjoy these scones for breakfast or as a delightful afternoon treat with your favorite tea. And remember, the key to flaky, tender scones is using cold vegan butter in the dough.
Swirl bread
Currant swirl bread
Imagine cutting into a warm loaf and discovering ribbons of currant jam woven throughout. Sounds heavenly, right? This bread, beautiful and sweetly tangy, is achieved by layering jam with the dough before baking. It creates bursts of fruity flavor, ideal with your morning coffee or even as a sandwich base.
Pies
Vegan currant pies
Mini vegan pies stuffed with juicy currants are the perfect sweet treat. The natural tanginess of the currants beautifully balances the sweetness of the pie crust. And yes, you can achieve that flaky, golden crust with plant-based fats like coconut oil or vegan shortening. These personal pies are ideal for parties - everyone gets their own slice of heaven!
Thumbprint cookies
Currant and almond thumbprint cookies
Thumbprint cookies are elevated with the use of almond flour in the dough and a dollop of currant jam as filling. The almond's nuttiness balances the currant's tanginess perfectly, resulting in a refined flavor experience within a familiar cookie form. These cookies are perfect for adding a touch of class to holiday seasons or serving as stylish treats at any gathering.
Chocolate clusters
Chocolate-covered currants clusters
If you're a fan of chocolate-dipped strawberries, these chocolate-covered currant clusters are a new addiction waiting to happen. Melt some dark chocolate, stir in dried currants, then spoon out small clusters onto parchment paper. The result? Bite-sized treats with the perfect balance of fruity acidity and rich chocolatey sweetness. Ideal for post-dinner indulgence or as a homemade gift that shows you really care.