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Soft Gooey Chocolate Chip Hot Cross Buns

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Soft, spiced hot cross buns filled with melty chocolate chips, perfect for Easter treats or cozy breakfasts. This easy homemade recipe delivers tender, flavorful buns with a shiny apricot glaze.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 4 cups all-purpose flour (480g)
  • 1/3 cup granulated sugar (65g)
  • 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast (one packet)
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/4 teaspoon ground nutmeg (optional)
  • 1 1/4 cups whole milk, warmed to about 110°F (43°C)
  • 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted and slightly cooled
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • 1 cup semi-sweet chocolate chips (170g)
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour (60g) for the cross
  • About 5 tablespoons water for the cross paste
  • 1/4 cup apricot jam, warmed and strained for glaze

Instructions

  1. Activate the yeast by combining warm milk, sugar, and instant yeast in a large mixing bowl. Let sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy.
  2. Whisk together flour, salt, cinnamon, and nutmeg in a separate bowl.
  3. Add melted butter and eggs to the yeast mixture. Slowly add dry ingredients and stir until a shaggy dough forms.
  4. Knead dough with a stand mixer for 8-10 minutes or by hand for 10-12 minutes until smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky.
  5. Lightly oil a large bowl, place dough inside, cover with a damp towel or plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm spot for 1 to 1.5 hours until doubled in size.
  6. Punch down dough and divide into 12 equal pieces (~70g each). Flatten each piece, place a tablespoon of chocolate chips in the center, pinch closed, and roll into smooth balls. Place on parchment-lined baking sheet spaced 2 inches apart.
  7. Cover buns and let rise for another 30-45 minutes until puffy.
  8. Mix 1/2 cup flour with about 5 tablespoons water to make a thick paste. Transfer to a piping bag and pipe crosses on each bun.
  9. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake buns for 18-20 minutes until golden brown.
  10. Warm apricot jam and brush over hot buns immediately after baking for a shiny glaze.
  11. Let buns cool slightly on a rack before serving.

Notes

[‘Keep milk warm at about 110°F to avoid killing the yeast.’, ‘Avoid over-flouring the dough to keep buns soft and tender.’, ‘Place chocolate chips inside the dough to prevent burning.’, ‘Allow dough to rise slowly in a warm spot for best texture.’, ‘Ensure cross paste is thick enough to pipe but not too runny.’, ‘Always glaze buns with apricot jam for a shiny, moist finish.’, ‘Dairy-free option: use plant-based milk and butter substitutes.’, ‘Vegan option: replace eggs with flax eggs (1 tbsp flaxseed meal + 3 tbsp water per egg).’, ‘For gluten-free, use a high-quality gluten-free bread flour blend with xanthan gum.’, ‘Chocolate chunks can be used instead of chips for a rustic texture.’, ‘Buns can be prepared and shaped the night before and refrigerated for a slow rise.’]

Nutrition

Keywords: hot cross buns, chocolate chip buns, Easter treats, soft buns, homemade buns, spiced buns, chocolate chip hot cross buns

Find it online: https://avabowls.com/soft-gooey-chocolate-chip-hot-cross-buns-recipe-easy-homemade-for-easter-treats/