Easter morning wouldn't be complete without a breakfast of freshly baked hot cross buns (and a few Easter eggs too, of course!). We have found a wonderfully easy recipe that you can make with your whānau this easter.
As a bonus, these hot cross buns are:
- Additive & preservative free - make your own choc chip hot cross buns and you'll know exactly what goes into them - just basic pantry staples (and no nasties!)
- Freezer-friendly - if you find that you have leftover buns after Easter, simply freeze them for up to 1 month.
- Loved by kids & teens - it's no secret that chocolate chip hot cross buns are the preferred flavour by kids & teens everywhere.
Ingredients:
- Milk
- Dried yeast
- Butter
- Egg
- Plain flour
- Salt
- Cinnamon & nutmeg
- Caster sugar
- Chocolate Chips
- Plain flour & water - for the piped crosses
- Sugar & water - for the glaze
Equipment required:
- Jug, small bowl and large bowl - for mixing.
- Spoon - for mixing.
- Flat surface - such as a kitchen bench or chopping board.
- Damp tea towel - for covering the dough during the rising process.
- Baking tins - 2 x 20cm square baking tins.
- Oven - for baking the hot cross buns.
- Microwave - for heating the sugar glaze.
Method:
STEP 1 - COMBINE THE MILK & YEAST
Place the milk into a small bowl. Add the yeast and stir. Allow to sit in a warm place for 10 minutes or until frothy.
STEP 2 - WHISK
Whisk the milk/yeast mixture, along with the butter and egg into a jug.
STEP 3 - PREPARE THE DRY INGREDIENTS
Sift the flour, salt, cinnamon, nutmeg and sugar into a large bowl and create a well in the centre.
STEP 4 - COMBINE
Pour the liquid into the well and use a spoon to mix until just combined. Use your hands to bring the dough together.
STEP 5 - KNEAD
On a lightly floured board or bench, knead the dough for 10-15 minutes or until smooth and elastic.
STEP 6 - ALLOW THE DOUGH TO RISE
Allow the dough to rise in a warm spot for 30 minutes (or until doubled in size).
STEP 7 - ROLL THE DOUGH INTO BUNS
Add the chocolate chips and knead through the mixture.
Note: the chocolate chips will start to melt - this is completely fine! Roll the dough into 12 equal portions and place close together into the prepared baking tins.
STEP 8 - PIPE THE CROSSES
Mix flour and water together until a smooth paste forms. Pipe crosses onto the buns.
TIP: if you don't have a piping bag, simply place the paste into a ziplock bag and cut a small hole in the corner.
STEP 9 - BAKE
Bake the buns for 15 minutes or until golden.
STEP 10 - GLAZE
Heat the water and caster sugar together to create a sugar glaze. Brush the syrup over the buns while they are still warm.