Hot Cross Buns are a traditional favourite for Easter but these have the addition of
chocolate which make them even more delicious.
To make the chocolate hot cross buns we’ll need to make a bread dough.
If you’ve never made bread dough before there are a few tips and tricks you’ll need
to learn to make sure it rises but trust me, it isn’t too difficult.
Just set aside an afternoon and you’ll be so please with what you’ve created.
In a small saucepan measure out the butter and place over medium heat to melt, alternatively
you can melt it in the microwave if that is easier.
For these chocolate hot cross buns we’re making an enriched dough which basically means
it has extra ingredients added, butter, milk, and egg to make the bread richer than a standard
white loaf.
If you would like the full recipe for these chocolate hot cross buns it will be on my
website as well as the full measurements listed in the description box below.
Make sure to subscribe to my channel and take a look at my other easter recipes.
While the butter is melting in a large mixing bowl measure out the the milk, and crack in
the egg.
Make sure your milk and egg are both at room temperature as this mixture is what is going
to wake up the yeast and it needs to be warm to work.
You’ll also need to add half the sugar as this gives the yeast something to feed off.
One of the most important tips I can give you when making dough is remember that yeast
is alive so if you be to rough with it’s conditions it won’t survive, so make sure
you don’t place it boiling hot butter.
Pour the hot melted butter into the bowl, the milk will cool it down so it won’t cook
the egg, and add a teaspoon of active dried yeast.
Use a whisk to combine the ingredients and set aside for 10-15 minutes or until bubbly
and frothy.
If you do have a bread maker you can use that now instead of doing the remaining steps by
hand.
When your yeast mixture looks frothy and bubbly like this you can start to add the remaining
ingredients and form it into a dough.
One important thing here is you’ll need bread flour instead of all purpose flour,
it can also be called strong flour or high grade flour.
This flour has a stronger protein content than regular all purpose flour which is important
when you are making any type of bread.
The protein helps with gluten development in the dough which leads to a chewy and elastic
texture instead of cake.
Measure out the flour, you’ll need 3 and 1/4 cups followed by half a cup of cocoa powder
to of course make the dough chocolate flavoured.
You’ll also need the remaining sugar and a pinch of salt to round out all the flavours.
We’ll also be adding chocolate pieces or chocolate chips but as that has a tendency
to melt thats best left until later.
Let me know in the comments below if you’ve had hot cross buns or chocolate hot cross
buns before.
They’re really popular where I live but I know different places around the world don’t
have them.
Also let me know if you prefer traditional with raisins and spices or chocolate?
I’m not a huge fan of raisins so chocolate it is for me.
Use a wooden spoon to start to mix the ingredients together to form a dough.
When it gets too stiff, clean up your work surface, sprinkle over some flour and turn
out the dough.
Use the palm of your hands to knead the dough for 5-10 minutes or until elastic and smooth
in appearance.
A few things to keep note of here, you want your dough to be sticky but not too sticky.
Add just enough flour so the dough feels sticky but doesn’t stick to your hands.
You want to knead the dough with the palm of your hands until it comes together, becomes
elastic and looks smooth.
This is when the gluten has developed, and kneading develops the gluten.
Shape your dough into a ball, it should look smooth and place it back into the mixing bowl.
Cover with a damp tea towel and leave in a warm place to double in size for about an
hour or two.
When the dough has doubled in volume, punch it back and turn it out onto your floured
work surface.
Press the chocolate dough into a disc and pour over your chocolate.
I’ve gone for my favourite chocolate which I’ve cut up with a knife but you can also
use chocolate chips if you would prefer.
Bring the sides of the dough into the centre and knead for about minute until the chocolate
is evenly distributed.
Use a table knife or a dough scraper to divide the chocolate dough into 10 pieces, press
each piece into a disc, bring in the centre, turn it over and roll into a smooth dough.
This way just helps to get a smooth finish to each of the chocolate buns.
Place each ball of dough on a baking sheet lined with baking paper, leaving about an
inch of space in between as the will rise.
Cover the dough with a damp tea towel and leave to double in volume in a warm place
for about an hour.
Finish off the chocolate hot cross buns by piping over chocolate crosses, a mixture of
flour, cocoa powder, and water.
Place the hot cross buns into a 180 degree celsius or 350 Fahrenheit oven for 20 minutes.
Remove them from the oven an optionally brush over simple syrup with is equal parts sugar
and water boiled together to give the buns a shine.
Serve fresh or toasted with a little bit of butter and enjoy.
Thank you for watching, I hope you enjoyed this recipe and I’ll see you in my next
video.