Chocolate chunk hot cross buns
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This extra-spicy, chocolate chunk hot cross buns recipe is perfect for Easter and the dough can be made ahead to save time in the kitchen.
There’s a certain glumness that accompanies the arrival of Autumn. Almost as if my spirit wanes slightly when the leaves lose their glorious green glow, the flowers start looking ever so slightly drabber and there’s a noticeable chill in the air. Don’t get me wrong, I love the cooler months but there is something a little more depressing about their arrival than that of spring and summer. Having said that, this time of the year also brings with it Easter eggs and hot cross buns and no-one can be angry about that.
And let me just say this: I don’t get people who don’t like hot cross buns. I am in no way a fan of raisins but good grief, there is something about hot cross buns that get me so excited. Eaten as is, toasted then slathered in butter, left to go stale then drenched in custard and baked and served with even more custard. I want it all. I bake hot cross buns every year around Easter but this year I decided to amp it up a little.
I added a lot of chocolate chunks to these hot cross buns because what’s better than chocolate IN carbs? Not much, let’s be honest. If you are one of those people who don’t like raisins, you could omit the raisins and just add chocolate but I kind of like the fruity burst of sweetness the raisins add, especially with the addition of bitter dark chocolate.
This is also a fabulous recipe if you want to make the hot cross buns ahead. If you want to take the overnight route, make the buns all the way up to forming them then cover them well with cling wrap and refrigerate overnight. Take them out of the fridge 2 hours before you want to bake them so they get a chance to come back to room temperature and rise a little again before baking them off.
There is just simply nothing as wonderful as having a hot, straight-from-the-oven hot cross bun with a cup of coffee for Easter breakfast or brunch so add these to your must-make list. You won’t be disappointed.
Have you tried this recipe for hot cross buns? Please leave a comment and rate the recipe below.
This extra-spicy, chocolate chunk hot cross buns recipe is perfect for Easter and the dough can be made ahead to save time in the kitchen.
- 500 g flour
- 20 g dry yeast
- 100 g sugar
- 3 teaspoons ground cinnamon
- 1/2 teaspoon nutmeg
- 1/2 teaspoon cloves
- pinch of salt
- 50 g butter melted
- 2 large eggs
- 250 ml full cream milk
- 1 cup approximately 150g dark chocolate, roughly chopped
- 1 cup raisins
- 5 tablespoons flour
- 3-4 tablespoons water
- ½ cup sugar
- ½ cup water
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Combine the flour, yeast, sugar, spices and salt in a bowl and mix until combined.
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In a measuring jug, whisk together the melted butter, eggs and milk then pour into the dry ingredients.
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Mix until a sticky, soft dough forms. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead for 5 minutes.
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Place the dough into a bowl and cover with clingfilm and allow to rise for 1 hour
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When the dough has risen, remove from the bowl and knead in the raisins and chocolate. Return to the bowl, cover and allow to rise for another 30 minutes.
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Pre-heat the oven to 180°c and line a baking tray with baking paper.
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Form dough balls roughly the size of golf balls out of the risen dough and place on the prepared baking tray.
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Mix together the flour and water and pipe crosses onto the buns.
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Allow to rise for another 30 minutes then place in the pre-heated oven.
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Allow to bake for 25-30 minutes until the hot cross buns are golden brown and cooked through.
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While the buns are baking, combine the ingredients for the glaze in a small saucepan and allow to come to a boil.
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When the buns have baked, remove them from the oven and immediately brush the glaze over the top.
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Allow to cool slightly before serving with butter.
 Easter Candy bark
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I live somewhere where you can’t get hot cross buns and my craving for them has been through the roof this year. THANK YOU for this recipe. I am known to be a terrible baker, but this was really easy and now I am a happy camper.
I’m so happy to hear that!
Can’t believe I’ve never baked hot cross buns…and I used to be a bread baker. I really need to try these sometime. Yours look stunningly delicious! Thanks for the recipe inspiration!
Thanks so much Traci. It definitely is a winner and you will LOVE baking them.
Simply yummy
Thanks 🙂
Do you know, I have never had a cross bun? I honestly haven’t heard of them until I started seeing pictures of them shared on Instagram. I apparently have been living under a rock and missing out. I recently saw a much plainer version of cross buns at our store’s bakery. Your version looks much more lovely. The combinations of cinnamon, nutmeg, sugar, cloves, raisins, and CHOCOLATE sound Devine. I can’t wait to try this recipe.
Thanks so much Katie. They are absolutely scrumptious and you MUST make them. You won’t be sorry. 🙂
I haven’t had my first hot cross bun of the year yet! These look amazing, and I love how much spice there is in them.
Thanks Danielle! 🙂
These look sooo delicious, spread with butter there’s nothing better!
So right you are Emily! There’s nothing better than a warm hot cross bun with butter.
I love hot cross buns, especially as you suggested, toasted and slathered in butter. Happy Easter Alida thanks for sharing.
Julie
Thanks so much Julie! Happy Easter to you too!
Yummy! Not a lover of dark chocolate find it bitter, but will follow he recipie on Saturday and share feedback & picks?
Yes please! You could definitely use milk chocolate but I think the dark works well with all the sweetness from the raisins and sugar.
I remember these Alida, and I’m still drooling over them! Perfect for Easter!
Thanks so much Mary Ann! 🙂
Thanks for the recipe, am baking them this Easter .
I hope you love them!
The hot cross buns are easy to make, taste delicious with or without the chocolate chunks. This was my first attempt at baking hot cross buns and it was a hit! On my menu for this easter weekend.
So glad to hear that Jo-Anne! 🙂 Happy Easter!
Such a great recipe. The buns are always so soft and delicious.
Thanks Paula!
These are absolute perfection. I bake them every year and they have become famous in my family.
Thanks so much Fiona! 🙂
These are high on the list to try this season. I am always a bit intimidated with proofing, but the chocolate in this recipe is compelling me. I think my boys will really enjoy these. Thanks for sharing.
Don’t be scared at ALL. The yeast does all the work for you. Your boys are going to LOVE these! 😉
it looks delicious! I will tag you in the photo and put your ig name and website address on the post!
Thanks so much!
Absolutely delish. I used all cranberry as I don’t like other dried fruit.
Love that idea!
Seeing hot cross buns takes me back to elementary school when I was learning to read music and the song “hot cross buns” was the very first song we learned except that these are food and that is so much more exciting! These look so delicious
Food is ALWAYS so much more exciting. 🙂
Love the chocolate chunks.These are definitely some of the hottest looking hot cross buns I’ve seen this Easter!
Thanks so much Diane! 🙂
I love hot cross buns… and with chocolate chunks sounds amazing!!
Thanks Natasha! They are definitely a classic!
I love hot cross buns! I cannot wait to try your recipe! Happy Easter!
I hope you love them Elizabeth!
I think I drooled on myself.
Yup. Definitely did.
And WHO doesn’t like hot cross buns!? (the one direction comment had me dying ?)
You’d be surprised how many people turn up their noses. I don’t get it!
Oh my Lord Alida!! These look absolutely amazing! I love the added chocolate chunks! I would have a hard time stopping at one or two!
Thanks Mary Ann! Those choc chunks just take them over the top! And you’re not alone. I’ve yet to meet the person who could only have one.
Yes!! These look incredible!
Thanks! 🙂
I definitely am going to add this to my ‘must do’ list, but not only for Easter, I do want to make them carb ALL YEAR ROUND!!!! They look so scrumptious, and even though I am kind of scared of making bread, I promise myself I MUST try this!!! <3 <3 <3
P.S. "teenage girl at a One Direction concert" hahaha — That's a good one 🙂
You definitely must Pang! 😉
Hi, I found this on FoodGawker and was hoping I could get your permission to post the recipe on my instagram recipe page (@foodie_recipes) as it looks delicious! I will tag you in the photo and put your ig name and website address on the post! Hope this is okay, thanks 🙂 x
Hi Olivia, I don’t mind you using the photo but I would prefer if you don’t post the entire recipe on your instagram and rather re-direct your followers to view the recipe here.
These hot cross buns are perfection! Nice Job!
Thanks Thalia!
I’ve never had a hot cross bun, but they always look SO good. These are no exception, gorgeous photos as always!
NO! You MUST try them. Bake them immediately! 😉 Thanks Nicole!
Well, these are certainly my kind of hot crossed bun!! Yum!
Thanks Katrina! 🙂