As a little girl growing up the only thing I knew about hot cross buns was that it was a song your piano teacher makes you play over and over when you're first learning to play. Plus, it sounded a bit like Three Blind Mice - if Three Blind Mice had a really boring center. I was in college before I tasted my first hot cross bun, and by the time I made it out, I was hooked. This delicious bun is subtly sweet with just a little chew and perfect with pretty much any breakfast. Since I'm pretty much a nut for chocolate, I knew when it was time to make my own I wanted to nix all that fruit and give mine a chocolatey twist. I hope you and your family love these chocolate hot cross buns as much as I loved my first hot cross buns, because tasting them a first time is an experience you'll never forget. Just like that piano ditty. Enjoy!
2large eggsplus 1 egg yolk (save the white for the topping)
6tablespoonsbutterroom temperature
1 ¾teaspoonsinstant yeast
¼cuplight brown sugarfirmly packed
¾cupcocoa powder
½teaspoonground cinnamon
½teaspoonginger
1 ¾teaspoonssalt
1tablespoonbaking powder
4cupsbread flour
Glaze
1large egg whitereserved from above
1tablespoonmilk
Topping
1cup+ 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
½teaspoonvanilla extract
pinchof salt
1 ½tablespoonsmilk
Instructions
1. Lightly grease a 10" square pan or 9" x 13" pan.
2. In a large bowl, mix together all the bun ingredients. Knead the mixture, using an electric mixer or bread machine, until the dough is soft and elastic.
3. Let the dough rise for 1 hour, covered.
4. Divide the dough into 12 buns (or more if you want them smaller). Use your greased hands to round them into balls and arrange them in the prepared pan.
5. Cover the pan, and let the buns rise for 1 hour, or until they've puffed up and are touching one another. While the dough is rising, preheat the oven to 375°F.
6. Whisk together the reserved egg white and milk, and brush it over the buns.
7. Bake the buns for 20 - 23 minutes. Remove from the oven, carefully turn the buns out of the pan (they should come out in one large piece), and transfer them to a rack to cool.
8. Mix together the topping ingredients, and when the buns are completely cool, pipe a cross shape over the top of each bun. Enjoy!
Notes
Pro Tip: If you want the topping to be chocolate, too, add in 1/2 teaspoon cocoa powder, and just enough milk to give it the right consistency. Enjoy!