Chocolate Hot Cross Buns

By JDARK

Ingredients

• For the buns:
• 1 1/4 c. lukewarm milk
• 1/2 c. granulated sugar, plus 1 tsp., divided
• 2 c. (0.25-oz.) packages active dry yeast
• 3 1/2 c. all-purpose flour, plus more for surface
• 1/3 c. Dutch process cocoa powder
• 1/4 c. packed brown sugar
• 1 tsp. baking soda
• 1 tsp. kosher salt
• 1/2 tsp. ground cinnamon
• 1/2 tsp. nutmeg
• 6 tbsp. melted butter, cooled
• 1 tsp. large egg
• 1 tsp. pure vanilla extract
• 1 tsp. orange zest
• 1 c. chocolate chips
• 1 1/4 c. Egg wash, for brushing
• For the glaze:
• 1 1/2 c. powdered sugar
• 2 tbsp. milk
• 1/4 tsp. cinnamon

Details

Level of difficulty Average
Cost Average budget

Preparation

Step 1

Make buns: Grease a large bowl with cooking spray. In a small bowl or liquid measuring cup, add lukewarm milk and 1 teaspoon sugar and sprinkle yeast on top. Let sit until frothy, about 10 minutes, then whisk yeast into milk.

Step 2

In a large bowl, whisk together flour, remaining ½ cup sugar, cocoa powder, brown sugar, baking soda, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Make a well in center of flour mixture and add milk-yeast mixture, melted butter, egg, vanilla, and orange zest. Stir with a wooden spoon until mixture is a thick, shaggy dough. Stir in chocolate chips.

Step 3

Turn dough onto a heavily floured surface and knead until dough is soft and elastic, 5 minutes. Add flour as you knead until the dough is no longer sticking to your hands.

Step 4

Place dough in greased bowl and cover with a clean kitchen towel and let rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, about 2 hours.

Step 5

Preheat oven to 375° and grease a 9"-x-13" baking pan with cooking spray. Divide dough into 12 equal portions with a sharp knife or pizza wheel.

Step 6

Shape each piece into a roll, tucking the edges under, and place each roll seam side down into prepared pan. Cover with a clean kitchen towel and let rise in a warm place until rolls have doubled in size, about 45 minutes.

Step 7

Brush tops of buns with egg wash. Bake until golden and puffy, 22 to 25 minutes. Let cool.

Step 8

Make glaze: Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and cinnamon until smooth. Transfer to a medium resealable plastic bag and make a small cut in the corner of the bag. Pipe a thick cross shape over each bun.