Hot Cross Buns - but better!

Personally, I like hot cross buns, Gavin however does not like the currents and sultanas, I went in search of a recipe for a hot cross bun that he would like and in my opinion this recipe is far better than the traditional hot cross buns!

Ingredients:
For the buns:
18oz Plain Flour
1 and 1/2 tsp Mixed Spice
2 and 1/2 tsp Yeast
50g Sugar
350ml Lukewarm Milk
2 Eggs
200g Milk Chocolate
For the crosses:
Plain Flour
Water
For the glaze:
Water
Sugar

Firstly, sieve the flour into a large bowl, without doing my trick and getting flour everywhere

Then add the Mixed Spice to the mound of Flour

Add the Yeast and Sugar and mix together

Warm the milk so that it is lukewarm, add the eggs to the milk and beat lightly, then add to the dry mixture and combine it together until it forms a dough. On a floured work surface knead the dough until it's smooth and elasticy, this took me about 7 minutes of kneading to reach this point, but it depends on your kneading speeds :)

Place in a lightly floured bowl and cover with cling film, then leave it in a warm place for 1 hour to prove. During this time, the dough will double in size

Knock it back to it's original size and fold in the chocolate chunks

Divide mixture into 12, place on a baking tray and cover with cling film. Take it back to the warm place and leave to prove again for 30 minutes, they should double in size again during this time. Whilst they are proving, now is a good time to preheat your oven to 190°C 

Mix together approximately 3 tablespoons of flour to 6 tablespoons of water, the mixture should be a thick paste that can be piped. Place in a piping bag or just a sandwich bag and cut the end off and pipe the crosses on top of the buns. Now they can go into the oven!

The smell of a hot cross bun baking in the oven is, quite frankly, amazing! They took about 12 minutes in my oven, when they were a golden brown on top and hollow sounding when you tap the bottom of the bun, out they come. Whilst they are cooling, add 50g sugar and 60ml water to a small saucepan and bring to the boil and simmer for 5 minutes. Whilst the buns are still warm, brush the glaze lightly over the tops - serve warm, whilst the chocolate is still melted and yum!

Useful Tips Gained: Making a glaze - I've never actually had to make one

Items to Purchase: None

Items Added to Amazon Wishlist: None

Miscellaneous Items Wished for: Lots of ingredients to make different breads, I really need to get around to trying out some of the more exciting breads in Paul Hollywood's book