Orange Chocolate Hot Cross Buns

Orange Chocolate Hot Cross Buns

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

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. Mix into an elastic and glossy dough.

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.

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.

Rise until doubled in size.

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

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!