Orange Chocolate Hot Cross Buns

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Orange chocolate hot cross buns that are delicious and fluffy. Spiced with orange zest and cocoa powder and a hint of cinnamon.

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In a bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, add the yeast, milk, and 1 tablespoon of the sugar. Let it sit for 5 minutes and become foamy.

Add the remaining sugar, flour, cocoa powder, cinnamon, orange zest, mixed peel, vanilla, salt, and egg. 

Turn the mixer on medium and combine until it forms a thick but slightly sticky dough. This can take around 15 minutes.

Pull the dough out of the bowl onto a clean workbench and flatten it out. 

Form the dough into a ball. Place the dough ball into a clean bowl and cover it with a lid or plate, or a damp tea towel, and let it proof in a warm spot for 1.5- 2 hours until doubled in size. 

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After the dough has been proofed pull the dough onto a clean bench and cut it into 9 even pieces. You can use a scale for exact measurements. Use your hands to form each piece into a tight ball. 

Line a 10x10 inch square baking dish with parchment paper. Place each ball into the baking tray, then cover with a damp tea towel.

Let them rise until doubled in size. Preheat the oven to 356°F/ 180°C fan-bake or 392°F/ 200°C in a standard oven.

Mix the flour, cocoa powder, sugar and water for the crosses, then pipe the crosses onto the buns

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Bake the buns for around 23-25 minutes. While the buns are baking, mix the glaze ingredients.

In a saucepan combine orange juice with granulated sugar. Bring the mixture to a simmer and stir until the sugar has dissolved. 

Once dissolved, take it off the heat and brush it over the still-warm buns.

See the full recipe on the website!

Enjoy!

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