Chocolate Hot Cross Buns

Steps

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1. 1
   Melt 50g of butter in a small pan over low heat. Add 1 teaspoon of mixed spice, 50g of golden caster sugar, and freshly grated nutmeg, and mix until combined.
   ▶ ≈0:26
2. 2
   Pour 400g of strong flour into a large bowl and make a well in the centre. Add 7g of instant yeast.
   ▶ ≈0:57
3. 3
   Pour the melted butter mixture into the flour and cook for about 1 minute. Turn off the heat and let it cool. Add 200ml of whole milk to cool the mixture down.
   ▶ ≈1:11
4. 4
   Test the temperature with your finger to ensure it is tepid (not hot). Add 1 large organic egg and mix gently. Then add 50g of cocoa powder and a pinch of salt.
   ▶ ≈1:22
5. 5
   As the dough becomes too firm to work with a fork, use your hands to knead it. Push the dough away from you and bring it back repeatedly until it becomes elastic and springs back to the touch.
   ▶ ≈1:48
6. 6
   Break 150g of chocolate into 12 small chunks. Knead 100g of raisins and the remaining chocolate pieces into the dough.
   ▶ ≈2:02
7. 7
   Place the dough in the bowl, cover with a damp warm cloth, and let it prove for about 1 hour until it has doubled in size.
   ▶ ≈2:42
8. 8
   After the dough has risen, gently roll it out. Cut it in half, then in half again, and finally divide each quarter into 3 equal portions.
   ▶ ≈3:00
9. 9
   Flatten each portion of dough, place a piece of chocolate in the centre, and pull the edges up and over to enclose it, forming a ball.
   ▶ ≈3:09
10. 10
    Place the buns on a baking tray and let them prove for about 45 minutes until they are light and puffy.
    ▶ ≈3:34
11. 11
    Mix 2 tablespoons of flour with 2 tablespoons of water to create a thick paste similar to pancake batter. Fill a piping bag and pipe a cross on top of each bun.
    ▶ ≈3:40
12. 12
    Bake in a preheated oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 25 minutes until the buns are golden brown.
    ▶ ≈3:57
13. 13
    Brush the warm buns with honey using a rosemary or thyme brush for added flavour. Let cool for 5 minutes before serving.
    ▶ ≈4:10