Chocolate and Orange Hot Cross Buns

It's Good Friday and a perfect time for some easter baking. Hot Cross Buns are a perfect easter treat but I'm going to be honest...I'm not a big fan of raisins and currants :( so I normally stay away from them but this year I decided to make my own but with a twist so that I could eat and enjoy them....chocolate and orange hot cross buns! They were out of this world...don't just take my word for it, definitely give them a go :)

Chocolate and Orange Hot Cross Buns

450g strong white bread flour
25g cocoa powder
7g fast action yeast
60g caster sugar
1 tsp salt
1/2 tsp cinnamon (ground)
1/2 tsp vanilla extract
40g butter
300ml milk
100g chocolate chips
Zest of one large orange

Crosses
75g flour
75ml water

Glaze
3 tbsp caster sugar
3 tbsp orange juice

Pour the milk into a pan and add the milk and heat gently until the better has melted (try not to boil the milk), add the vanilla extract and set aside. It needs to be like warm.

Place the flour, yeast, sugar, salt, orange zest and cinnamon into a bowl and slowly add the milk/butter mixture. Mix until you get a soft dough and then add the chocolate chips.

Knead for around 10 minutes or 5 minutes if using a stand mixer

Place in an oiled bowl and leave to prove for around 1 1/2 hrs or until doubled in size

Turn out onto a lightly oiled work surface and knock back. Divide into 12 balls and roll the balls gently to make them smooth and place on a lined baking sheet. Cover with lightly oiled cling film and leave to prove again, until about doubled in size (about 45 minutes)

Pre heat the oven to 200/180c

Mix the flour and water together to a smooth spreadable paste and fill a piping bag fitted with a small holed nozzle.

Pipe crosses onto the buns and place into the pre heated oven for about 15 minutes.

While the buns are baking, make up the glaze by add the caster sugar and orange juice in a pan and heat until the sugar is dissolved.

Once the hot cross buns are cooked, remove from the oven and immediately brush the orange glaze over all the buns

Enjoy :))