The BEST Hot Cross Buns (spicy and fruity!)
The best hot cross buns are homemade ones! While they are certainly a labour of love, nothing beats the taste of homemade sweet bread. I always find that store-bought hot cross buns are super doughy and hardly have any fruit or spice in them, leaving me disappointed. So I decided that I’d just have to develop my own recipe for them and I have to say, my hot cross chocolate fruit buns recipe just might be the best buns you will ever taste! Full of so much spice and fruit, just how I like them. Try them out and let me know what you think.
Click on the image to watch how to make it.
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Ingredients:
1 tablespoon dry yeast
1/2 cup (110g) caster sugar
1 cup (250 ml) full-fat milk
4 cups (600g) plain flour
2 tsp cinnamon
2 tsp All Spice
1/2 tsp salt
Zest of two lemons or zest of one orange
2 cups of sultanas
1/2 cup of dark chocolate chips
50g/ 3.5 tbsp unsalted butter, melted and cooled
1 egg, lightly beaten with a fork
Crosses:
1/2 cup flour, any white flour
5 tbsp water
Glaze:
2 tbsp apricot jam
1 tablespoon water
In a small bowl, combine the dry yeast, 1 tbsp of sugar, and warm milk. Set aside for 10 minutes until frothy.
In a large mixing bowl, sift together the flour, remaining sugar, cinnamon, All Spice, and salt. Add the citrus zest, sultanas, and chocolate chips. Mix well.
Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients. Pour in the yeast mixture, melted butter, and beaten egg. Mix to form a sticky dough.
Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for 10-15 minutes until smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours until doubled in size.
After the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into 12 equal portions. Shape each portion into a ball and place on a lined baking tray, leaving some space between each bun.
Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
To make the crosses, mix the flour and water to form a paste. Transfer the paste to a piping bag and pipe crosses onto the top of each bun.
Bake the buns in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until they are golden brown.
While the buns are baking, prepare the glaze by heating the apricot jam and water in a small saucepan until combined.
Once the buns are out of the oven, brush them with the warm glaze.
Allow the hot cross buns to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy these delightful treats warm with butter or on their own.
I hope you enjoy.
With love,
Tara x