Cherry and Chocolate Hot Cross Buns | Easter Baking #3

Hello! You have reached the final post in my mini Easter Baking Series, I have enjoyed this so much because baking is passion for me. If you haven't read my others I have a Carrot Cake and Easter Cookies for you to look at, just scroll down.

I remember making Hot Cross Buns years ago with my brother, but decided this time around I would make something a little different from your classic ones.

The recipe I'm showing you is slightly different with some improvements!

Ingredients

200g cherries soaked in orange juice overnight
250ml milk
50g unsalted butter
1 large egg
2tbsp cherry jam
200g strong bread flour
2tsp cinnamon (stick to this measurement)
2 heaped tbsp cocoa powder
2 x 7g dry yeast
50g white and dark chocolate (broken into little pieces)
75g caster sugar
50g plain flour
3tbsp runny honey

Method

Warm milk and butter in a pan over a low heat until butter melts, take off the heat and mix in the cherry jam, put to the side.

Mix strong bread flour, cinnamon, cocoa powder and caster sugar with a pinch of salt.

Make a well in the centre and pour in the milk mix, begin to mix this together with a rounded knife then use your hands once it starts to come together.

Once in a smooth dough, knead for 10 minutes on a floured/clingfilmed surface. (Slam it down, push the heals of your hands in, be your inner Paul Hollywood now is the time!!)

Butter a clean bowl, pop in your dough, cover with clingfilm. Leave to rise for an hour.

Grease and line 1 large baking tray.

Tip the dough out, knock it back and knead it for a further 2 minutes.

Cut the dough in half and at this point add in the chocolate a cherries so they are evenly spread, because if you add it in early they will not be spread evenly in your buns TRUST ME. Just pat down into the dough.

Roll into 12 even sized pieces, cover with clingfilm and leave to rise on the baking tray for 45 minutes.

Preheat oven to 190°C/170°C Fan.

To make these hot cross buns, mix together the plain flour and 3-5tbsp of water and pipe onto the buns, in a cross shape. However these can be just sweet buns left without the crosses. Options for all people!

Penultimately bake for 20-25 minutes. When done place on a wire rack.

Finally to make the glaze mix honey and sugar together on a low heat until sugar has dissolved. Brush on top and you my friend are done!!! Leave to cool.

I feel like I've written some kind of epic.

Have a fabulous Easter.

Thanks for popping by!

xxx