Looking for a fresh twist on a classic Easter favourite? Look no further than this irresistible homemade hot cross buns with a sweet surprise - chocolate! These buns strike the perfect balance between traditional and modern flavours, making them a sure fire hit with all your loved ones. Trust us, one bite of these fluffy, fragrant buns studded with juicy raisins and rich chocolate, and you'll be hooked. So, let's roll up our sleeves, preheat the oven, and get ready to impress with this show-stopping recipe!
Method
For the dough:
- Line a large square rimmed baking tray with greaseproof or parchment paper
- Combine the flour, yeast, spices, sugar, salt and lemon zest in a mixing bowl and stir well to mix
- Add 400ml of the water and the butter, and mix until the water is incorporated. Beat until well-blended and the consistency of thick cake batter, adding a little more water if the mixture is too thick.
Gently stir in the raisins, candied peel, and chopped chocolate. Place the bowl in a warm place and leave for about 25-30 minutes until the mixture is slightly swollen.
For the crosses:
Combine the flour, cornflour, and sugar into a bowl and gradually whisk in enough water to make a smooth pipeable paste. Spoon into a piping bag fitted with a small round nozzle.
Prep and bake:
Take 12 rounds of the dough mixture and place on the baking tray in four rows of three, side by side
Pipe crosses on top of each bun with the prepared paste. Leave to rise in a warm place for 1 hour
Preheat the oven to 180°C (160°C fan). After rising, bake for about 30-40 minutes until golden, risen, and dry to touch
Remove from the over and place the tray on a wire rack to cool.
For the icing/glaze:
Combine all ingredients for the icing/glaze in a saucepan. Warm over medium heat, stirring frequently, until liquid. Remove from the heat and let cool for 5 minutes
Spoon the icing/glazing over the hot cross buns before serving.
Ingredients
For the dough:
- 500g | 3 3/4 cups plain flour
- 3 tsp active dried yeast
- 2 tsp mixed spice
- 1/2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 60g | 1/4 cup golden caster sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 small unwaxed lemon, zest only, finely grated
- 450ml warm water at 45°C, plus extra as needed
- 120g | 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 200g | 1/13 cup raisins
- 1stp mixed candied peel, chopped
- 100g | 3/4 cup dark chocolate, finely chopped
For the crosses:
- 125g | 1 cup plain flour
- 3 tsp cornflour
- 3 tbsp golden caster sugar
- water
For the icing/glaze:
- 175g | 3/4 cup apricot jam, or marmalade
- 65g | 1/2 cup icing sugar
- 1 orange, juiced
Product captions: Habitania Gather Acacia 2 Tier Serving Tower $119.95, Habitania Linear Texture White Platter $22.45, Habitania Terrazzo Round Board White $29.95, Habitania Mira Marble Wood Board $44.95
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