Hot Cross Buns with Raisins and Chocolate

Serves : 10+

Time needed : 1h 30m

Difficulty : medium

If you love traditional hot cross buns but have a sweet tooth for chocolate, these hot cross buns are made for you. There is nothing better than homemade baked goods, and these hot cross buns with chocolate and raisins will be a crowd-pleaser at home. So hop to the kitchen and get started these Easter holidays.

Ingredients

Method

Ingredients

For the dough:

500 g | 3 3/4 cups plain flour

3 tsp active dried yeast

2 tsp mixed spice

1/2 tsp ground cinnamon

60 g | 1/4 cup golden caster sugar

1 tsp salt

1 small unwaxed lemon, zest only, finely grated

450 ml warm water, at ~43°C | 110F, plus extra as needed

120 g | 1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

200 g | 1 1/3 cups raisins

1 tbsp mixed candied peel, chopped

100 g | 3/4 cup dark chocolate, finely chopped

For the crosses:

125 g | 1 cup plain flour

3 tsp cornflour

3 tbsp golden caster sugar

water

For the icing/glaze:

175 g | 3/4 cup apricot jam, or marmalade

65 g | 1/2 cup icing sugar

1 orange, juiced

Ingredients

Method

1. For the dough: Line a large square rimmed baking tray with greaseproof or parchment paper.

2. Combine the flour, yeast, spices, sugar, salt, and lemon zest in a mixing bowl and stir well to mix.

3. Add 400 ml 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.

4. 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.

5. For the crosses: Combine the flour, cornflour, and sugar into a small bowl and gradually whisk in enough water to make a smooth pipeable paste. Spoon into a piping bag fitted with a small round nozzle.

6. Take 12 mounds of the dough mixture and place on the baking tray in four rows of three, side by side.

7. Pipe crosses on top of each bun with the prepared paste. Leave to rise in a warm place for 1 hour.

8. Preheat the oven to 180°C (160° fan) | 350F | gas 4. After rising, bake for about 30-40 minutes until golden, risen, and dry to the touch.

9. Remove from the oven and place the tray on a wire rack to cool.

10. For the icing/glaze: Combine all the ingredients for the icing/glaze in a saucepan. Warm over a medium heat, stirring frequently, until liquid. Remove from the heat and let cool for 5 minutes.

11. Spoon the icing/glaze over the hot cross buns before serving.

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