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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.

Chocolate chunk hot cross buns in baking sheet

I don’t get people who don’t like hot cross buns. In no way am I a fan of raisins but there is something about them 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 them all. I bake a batch of these spiced, sweet 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 buns because chocolate makes everything better. If you 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.

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.

Chocolate chunk hot cross buns with butter

How to make hot cross buns

Combine flour, yeast, sugar and spices then mix in milk, eggs, melted butter and sugar and knead until a smooth dough forms. Place in a bowl and cover and allow to rise for 1 hour. When the dough has proofed, knead in the raisins and chocolate chunks then allow to rise for another 30 minutes. Form the dough into buns just smaller than tennis balls (they will rise more in the oven) and place on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Mix together flour and water and pipe crosses on the top of the buns. Bake until golden brown and cooked through then brush with simple syrup for shine. Serve warm with butter.

Soft Chocolate chunk hot cross buns

What do you eat hot cross buns with?

They are best eaten warm with butter. Hot cross buns are also excellent sliced and toasted.

Do you warm up hot cross buns?

If you using store-bought, I would definitely recommend heating them up before serving them. The easiest way is to toast them but you can also wrap them in foil and warm them up in the oven for a few minutes.

Chocolate chunk hot cross buns on table

More Easter recipes you will love:

Choc chunk hot cross buns

Chocolate chunk hot cross buns

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. 
5 from 21 votes
Print Pin Rate
Course: Baking
Cuisine: Baking
Keyword: Chocolate hot cross buns, Easter recipe, Hot cross buns
Prep Time: 2 hours
Cook Time: 30 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
Servings: 20
Calories: 203kcal
Author: Alida Ryder

Ingredients

  • 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

for the crosses

  • 5 tablespoons flour
  • 3-4 tablespoons water

for the glaze

  • ½ cup sugar
  • ½ cup water

Instructions

  • Combine the flour, yeast, sugar, spices and salt in a bowl and mix until combined.
  • In a measuring jug, whisk together the melted butter, eggs and milk then pour into the dry ingredients.
  • Mix until a sticky, soft dough forms. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead for 5 minutes.
  • Place the dough into a bowl and cover with clingfilm and allow to rise for 1 hour
  • 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.
  • Pre-heat the oven to 180°c and line a baking tray with baking paper.
  • Form dough balls roughly the size of golf balls out of the risen dough and place on the prepared baking tray.
  • Mix together the flour and water and pipe crosses onto the buns.
  • Allow to rise for another 30 minutes then place in the pre-heated oven.
  • Allow to bake for 25-30 minutes until the hot cross buns are golden brown and cooked through.
  • While the buns are baking, combine the ingredients for the glaze in a small saucepan and allow to come to a boil.
  • When the buns have baked, remove them from the oven and immediately brush the glaze over the top.
  • Allow to cool slightly before serving with butter.

Nutrition

Calories: 203kcal | Carbohydrates: 36g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 17mg | Sodium: 39mg | Potassium: 91mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 10g | Vitamin A: 135IU | Vitamin C: 0.4mg | Calcium: 22mg | Iron: 1.6mg

 Easter Candy bark

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Comments

  1. Lejla

    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.

    Reply

  2. Traci

    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!

    Reply

  4. Katie Crenshaw | A Fork's Tale

    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.

    Reply

  5. Danielle

    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.

    Reply

  8. Tercia

    Yummy! Not a lover of dark chocolate find it bitter, but will follow he recipie on Saturday and share feedback & picks?

    Reply

  11. Jo-Anne

    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.

    Reply

  14. Cindy

    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.

    Reply

  17. Cindy Rodriguez

    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

    Reply

  24. Pang @circahappy

    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 🙂

    Reply

  25. Olivia

    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

    Reply

    • Alida Ryder

      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.

      Reply

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