Spiced chocolate orange hot cross buns recipe

Hot cross chocolate buns with spiced orange butter

Name: Hot cross chocolate buns with spiced orange butter
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 1 h
Yield: 12 serving(s)
Ingredients: 200 mL (7 fl oz (⅓ pint)) milk; 300 g (11oz) strong white flour, plus extra to dust; 300 g (11oz) plain flour; 7 g sachet fast-action dried yeast; 21/2 tsp mixed spice; 75 g (3oz) caster sugar; 60 g butter, very soft, plus extra to grease; 1 large egg, beaten; 125 g (4oz) sultanas; 100 g (3 ½oz) plain chocolate chunks; 3 tbsp. plain flour; runny honey, to glaze; 125 g (4oz) unsalted butter, softened; 25 g (1oz) icing sugar, sifted; zest and juice 1 orange

Hot cross buns with melting chocolate chunks.

By The Good Housekeeping Cookery TeamUpdated: 06 February 2020

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This satisfying take on the classic traditional hot cross buns recipe is always a winner.

Serve just warm, so the melting chocolate chunks mingle with whipped orange butter.

For real hot cross bun fans, try our hot cross bun layer cake.

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Yields:

12 serving(s)

Prep Time:

30 mins

Cook Time:

30 mins

Total Time:

1 hr

Cal/Serv:

379

Ingredients

For the buns

200 ml
(7 fl oz (⅓ pint)) milk
300 g
(11oz) strong white flour, plus extra to dust
300 g
(11oz) plain flour
7 g
sachet fast-action dried yeast
21/2 tsp mixed spice
75 g
(3oz) caster sugar
60 g
butter, very soft, plus extra to grease
1
large egg, beaten
125 g
(4oz) sultanas
100 g
(3 ½oz) plain chocolate chunks

For the decoration and glaze

3 Tbsp.
plain flour
runny honey, to glaze

For the whipped orange butter

125 g
(4oz) unsalted butter, softened
25 g
(1oz) icing sugar, sifted
zest and juice 1 orange

Directions

1. Step 1
  Heat milk and 75ml (3fl oz) water until almost boiling – there should be bubbles around the inside edge of the pan. Set aside until lukewarm.
2. Step 2
  Sift flours into the bowl of a freestanding mixer fitted with a dough hook. Mix in yeast, spice, sugar and 1tsp salt. Add butter, egg and milk mixture. Mix on medium speed for 5-10min until dough is smooth and elastic. If you don’t have a freestanding mixer, do this by hand, kneading dough for 10min.
3. Step 3
  Return dough to a clean, greased bowl. Cover with greased clingfilm; leave to rise in a warm place until risen and doubled in size – about 1½ hr.
4. Step 4
  Line a large baking sheet with baking parchment. Punch dough down, then knead in sultanas and chocolate chunks. Divide dough into 12 equal pieces (weigh for best results). Shape each piece into a ball and arrange balls in a circle on the baking sheet, almost touching. Cover again with greased clingfilm and leave in a warm place to rise again for 45min until soft and pillowy.
5. Step 5
  Preheat oven to 190°C (170°C fan) mark 5. For the decoration, in a small bowl, mix flour and 5tsp water to make a thick paste. Scrape into a piping bag and snip a 5mm (¼in) opening. Uncover buns and pipe on crosses. Bake in the oven for 25-30min until risen and golden.
6. Step 6
  Carefully transfer bun wreath to a wire rack. Brush warm buns with honey to glaze (try not to disturb melted chocolate). Serve just warm or at room temperature with Whipped Orange Butter.
7. Step 7
  To make the Whipped Orange Butter, whisk together butter, icing sugar and orange zest and juice until fluffy and combined (have patience, it will come together!). Cover and chill until needed. Soften at room temperature for 10min before serving.