Chocolate chunk hot cross buns

ByAlida Ryder Published Updated
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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. Hot cross buns are essential for Easter.  Eaten as is, toasted then slathered in butter they are my favorite Easter breakfast. I bake a batch of these spiced, sweet buns every year around Easter but this year I decided to amp it up a little.

Choc chunk hot cross buns

Ingredients Needed

This hot cross bun recipe is very simple and requires ingredients you would use for any enriched, yeasted dough. Adding eggs, butter and milk to a bread dough recipe results in a richer dough which bakes into the perfect soft and fluffy buns. I added a lot of chocolate chunks to this recipe 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.

  • Flour. All purpose flour or bread flour will both work.
  • Instant yeast. 
  • Sugar. 
  • Spices: Cinnamon, nutmeg, cloves.
  • Salt. 
  • Butter. I use salted butter but unsalted butter can be used instead.
  • Eggs. 
  • Milk. 
  • Dark chocolate.
  • Raisins. The raisins can be omitted or substituted with dried cranberries, currants or sultanas. Chopped dried apricots can also be used.
Chocolate chunk hot cross buns with butter

How to make hot cross buns

  1. Make the dough: Hot cross buns are made with enriched dough. You can absolutely makes these by hand but I prefer using my stand mixer fitted with a dough hook. Stir together flour, yeast, sugar and a few teaspoons ground cinnamon, nutmeg and cloves. You could use allspice too but it’s not something I have in my kitchen often. in a large mixing bowl then mix in milk, eggs, melted butter and sugar and mix until a smooth dough forms. If making by hand, turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead until smooth. In the mixer, allow to knead for 5 minutes. Place the dough in a greased bowl and cover with plastic wrap allow to rise for 1 hour in a warm place. When the dough has proofed, knead in the raisins and chocolate chunks then allow to rise for another 30 minutes.
  2. Form and bake the buns: Form the dough into buns just smaller than tennis balls (they will rise more in the oven) and place on a baking sheet or baking pan lined with parchment paper. Mix together flour and water, transfer the mixture to a piping bag or Ziploc bag and pipe crosses on the top of the buns. Bake for 20-25 minutes until the buns are golden brown and cooked through. Once the buns are out of the oven, brush them with simple syrup for shine. Allow to cool for 10 minutes then transfer to a wire rack and allow to cool for another 10 minutes. 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

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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. 
4.72 from 63 votes
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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
Calories: 203kcal
Author: Alida Ryder
Servings: 20

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 the dough into buns just smaller than tennis balls (they will rise more in the oven) and place on the prepared tray. Cover loosely then allow to rise for 30 minutes
  • Mix together flour and water, transfer to a piping bag or Ziploc bag and pipe crosses on the top of the buns.
  • 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
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81 Comments

  3. 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

    2. Hi just wondering what kind of yeast is used in this recipe? I have instant yeast and was thinking that 20g of it would be too much.

      Reply

  6. 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

  9. 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

  13. I think I drooled on myself.

    Yup. Definitely did.

    And WHO doesn’t like hot cross buns!? (the one direction comment had me dying ?)

    Reply

      1. Hi, this recipe sounds amazing! Just wondering, do I still need to activate the yeast? Or will it work even if just mixing it in with all the dry ingredients and adding the wet to it after? Thanks.

        Reply

  16. 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

  17. 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

    1. 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