Recipe: Chocolate Chip Hot Cross Buns

For the syrup

Ingredients

• 100ml water
• 100g sugar
• 1 clove
• 1 star anise
• 1 cinnamon stick

Method

1. Combine all ingredients in a saucepan and bring to the boil
2. Remove from the heat
3. Set aside and keep at room temperature

For the bun

Ingredients

• 600g strong flour
• 75g caster sugar
• 8g salt
• 60g butter
• 1 large egg
• 40g fresh yeast
• 300ml water
• 2g mixed spice
• 150g sultanas
• 20g mixed peel
• 100g chocolate chips

Method

1. Mix the dry ingredients then add in the butter, combining into a crumble
2. Dissolve the yeast with half of the water in a separate bowl
3. Combine all the ingredients in a large bowl, kneading until a sticky dough is formed
4. Leave to rest until the dough has doubled in size
5. Knock the dough back, weigh into 30-35 gram balls and place on a baking tray
6. Prove until doubled in size

Making the cross

Ingredients

• 100g strong flour
• 25g sugar
• Water

Method

1. Mix the flour and sugar together. Then add water, a little at a time, until you get a piping consistency
2. Carefully drape over the fully proved buns

To finish

Method

1. Place the buns in a pre-heated oven at 160 degrees for 20 minutes and until golden brown
2. While the buns are still hot, brush over the warm syrup
3. Enjoy!