Chocolate Chunk Hot Cross Buns with a Maple Glaze

Hot Cross Buns Ren Behan

Chocolate Chunk Hot Cross Buns with a Maple Glaze

Prep Time 1 hour 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 day 6 hours
Total Time 1 hour 50 minutes

Ingredients
  

For the Buns

  • 55 gram unsalted butter
  • 200 ml whole milk, at room temperature
  • 500 gram strong bread flour, plus a little extra for the board
  • 7 gram sachet fast-action dried yeast
  • 50 gram caster sugar
  • 2 tsp ground cinnamon
  • 75 gram mixed peel (optional)
  • 75 gram dried cranberries
  • 1 orange, zested
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • vegetable oil, to grease the proving bowl and tray
  • 100 gram chocolate chips

For the Crosses

  • 100 gram plain flour

For the Maple Glaze

  • 50 gram unsalted butter
  • 125 gram muscovado sugar
  • 2 tbsp maple syrup
  • 75 ml double cream

Instructions
 

  • For the buns: Melt the butter and leave to cool slightly, then pour the butter into the milk and set to one side to cool. Sift the flour into a bowl, add the yeast, caster sugar, cinnamon, mixed peel, dried cranberries, orange zest, 1 beaten egg, the vanilla and a pinch of sea salt.
  • Using a fork, stir the ingredients to combine them, then slowly add the cooled melted butter and milk mixture. Bring together using your hands until a ball of dough forms. Add a little extra milk if the dough seems dry.
  • On a floured board, knead the dough for five minutes, until the dough is smooth and elastic. Grease a large bowl with a little oil and place the ball of dough into the bowl, covering with cling film. Leave the dough to prove in a warm place for 1 hour.
  • After 1 hour, the dough should have doubled in size. Tip it out onto a floured board and punch the dough back to knock out any excess air. Tip the chocolate chunks onto the dough and work them in, kneading slightly again for about a minute.
  • Divide the dough into 12 equal portions and roll each ball into a bun shape, flattening it slightly. Lightly grease a large baking tray with oil and then lay the buns in the tray. They should be almost touching. Cover with a cloth and leave them to prove again for 30 minutes. In the meantime, preheat the oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 8.
  • For the crosses: Mix the plain flour with 2-3 tablespoons of water and bring it together to form a dough. Knead until smooth then roll out onto a floured board. Using a knife, cut 12 long strips, around 5mm in thickness and then cut each strip in half to make 24 pieces. Carefully place the dough strips onto the buns and brush the tops with the remaining beaten egg. Bake for 15 minutes, until golden.
  • For the maple glaze: Melt the butter, sugar and maple syrup in a pan and stir well. Take the sauce off the heat and stir in the double cream. Once the buns are baked, brush the tops with the maple sauce and serve whilst warm.

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