Chocolate hot cross buns

from NN Pulse magazine May 23

by PulseGroupMedia

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Perfect to use any leftover chocolate from Easter, serves 6

Ingredients

For the buns:

250g strong white bread flour, plus extra for dusting

5g salt

30g honey

2 tsp of dried yeast

20g unsalted butter, softened

1 large egg lightly beaten

60ml warm full-fat milk

60ml cool water

80g of mixed dark and milk chocolate

The zest of one orange - optional

1 tsp ground cinnamon

For the crosses:

35g plain flour

35ml water

Method

Method for a stand-up mixer:

Place the dry ingredients in a bowl of a stand-up mixer. With the paddle attachment, give a good mix to combine the ingredients fully.

Change the to the dough attachment. Add the butter, orange zest, egg, all the milk and half of the water and start combining on a low speed first, up to a medium to high speed until the dough moves away from the sides and is wrapped around the attachment.

Tip the dough onto a lightly floured surface, add your chocolate, and begin to knead until the dough starts to form a soft, smooth skin.

When your dough feels smooth and silky, put it back into the bowl and let it rise until doubled in size. Depending on the weather, this may take up to 2 hours or more.

Once the dough has risen, form a long salami shape and cut 6 dough balls. Shape into small rolls and place onto a baking tray to rise a second time. Place them quite close together so that when rising, will join.

Once they are ready, test them by pressing them lightly, they should spring back quickly.

For the crosses, mix the flour and water to a paste. Using a piping bag fitted with a fine nozzle, pipe crosses on the buns. Bake for 20 minutes, or until golden brown in a preheated oven to 220°C/Gas 7.

Suggestion: for an alternative cross, you could make piping icing by combining icing sugar and orange juice or water to your preferred consistency.

Our recipes come from NN Pulse food writer, Sofia Gallo, an acclaimed local chef, food writer and teacher at Milton Keynes Cookery School. She has recently won the ICG Cooking Competition and was a contestant on BBC’s Masterchef.