Chocolate Hot Cross Buns

So I woke up this morning and thought "it's Good Friday...and I feel like making hot cross buns". I knew I had a recipe somewhere that I could tweak.  Since I've found a brilliant pizza dough recipe, I tend to use it as the basis for pretty much everything - including these hot cross buns.

Ingredients

• 50g castor sugar (plus 1 level teaspoon)
• 1 tbsp yeast
• 450g plain flour
• 1 tsp salt
• 1.5 tsp mixed spice
• 75g currants
• 50g chocolate buttons or melts
• 50 ml warmed milk
• 1 egg beaten
• 50g softened butter
• 150ml warm water

For the Glaze

• 2 tbsps sugar
• 2 tbsps water

Method

• Preheat oven to 220C.
• Mix milk and water and heat in microwave for 1.5 - 2 mins.
• Put all ingredients except egg, milk and water into a food processor and mix. Add egg while mixing.
• Gradually add milk and water while while running the food processor. Mix until dough comes together.
• Mix for a further 2 minutes.
• Place dough into a lightly greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap and place in a warm spot until at least doubled in size.
• Beat down to original size, shape into 12 buns and place on baking sheet lined with baking paper.
• Allow to rise.
• While this is happening, make the dough for the crosses.
• Mix 110g plain flour and 2 tbsps of water into a dough. Roll out thinly and cut into strips.
• Dampen the buns and place the strips over in a cross pattern (tuck them just under the bun).
• Bake for 25 minutes until golden. Place a tray of hot water into the oven (this helps to keep the buns moist).
• While baking, make the glaze.
• Melt the sugar and water over a gentle heat.
• When the buns are cooked, take them out of the oven and brush with the glaze while still hot (this helps the glaze to be absorbed).
• Allow to cool thoroughly and store in an airtight container.

This recipe is very simple and quick. It's a great last-minute recipe.

Happy Easter!