Brioche Chocolate Hot Cross Buns
These decadent buns combine rich chocolate flavor with a soft, fluffy texture, making them an irresistible treat.
Equipment
- mixing bowl
- stand mixer
- piping bag
- baking dish
- saucepan
Ingredients
- 1 Cup Warm Milk
- 1 Egg
- ½ Cup White Sugar (divided)
- 2 tsp Active Dry Yeast
- 3 ¼ Cups Bread Flour
- ¼ Cup Cocoa Powder
- 1 tsp Salt
- 4 Tbsp Butter (room temperature)
- 4.5 oz Chopped Dark Chocolate or Chocolate Chips
- 2 ½ Tbsp Flour (for crosses)
- ½ tsp Cocoa Powder (for crosses)
- 2 Tbsp Water (for crosses)
- ¼ Cup White Sugar (for glaze)
- ¼ Cup Water (for glaze)
Instructions
- Whisk warm milk, egg, and 1 tablespoon of sugar; add yeast and let sit until frothy.
- Combine flour, cocoa powder, remaining sugar, and salt; mix in the yeast mixture until a dough forms.
- Add butter and mix until soft and smooth; knead if mixing by hand.
- Incorporate chopped chocolate and knead until evenly distributed.
- Shape into a ball, place in an oiled bowl, cover, and let rise for about 2 hours.
- Divide dough into eight pieces, shape into balls, and let rise in a greased dish for an hour.
- Preheat oven to 180°C / 350°F.
- Mix ingredients for crosses, pipe onto dough balls.
- Bake for approximately 30 minutes.
- Combine sugar and water for glaze, brush on warm buns after baking.
Notes
Best enjoyed fresh, but can be stored in an airtight container for 2-3 days. To refresh, toast or warm in the microwave. Buns can be frozen for up to 3 months; toast after defrosting for best results.