RECIPE OF THE MONTH; CHOCOLATE HOT CROSS BUNS

Ingredients

57 g unsalted butter
300 ml milk 
520 g plain flour 
⅓ Cup unsweetened cocoa 
2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast (or active dry)
½ cup white granulated sugar 
2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
½ teaspoon allspice
1 teaspoon vanilla extract
1 large egg, lightly beaten
1 cup chocolate chips

To Top
1 large egg, lightly beaten
2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa
1 tablespoon plain flour
2 ½ tablespoons water

Instructions

 In a small saucepan over low heat, melt the butter and half the milk together. Add the remaining cold milk to cool it down a bit and set aside.

In the bowl add the flour, cocoa, yeast, sugar, cinnamon, and allspice, mix together.

Pour in the warm milk mixture and add vanilla. Give a slight mix then add the egg. Beat on low for around 7 minutes until smooth and elastic. You can also knead the mixture by hand until smooth and elastic if preferred.

Brush a large bowl lightly with vegetable oil, then add the dough. Flip the dough once so the oil is all over. Cover the bowl with a tea towel and allow it to rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.

Once the dough has risen, turn it out onto a lightly floured board. Gently knead in the chocolate chips. Don’t knead for too long. Shape into a ball of dough. Cut the ball in 6 even pieces, then cut each of those pieces in half.

Line the base of a large baking tray with baking paper and lightly oil the sides. Shape each piece of dough into small balls and lay them side by side in the prepared dish (they should be just touching). Allow to rise for another hour or until doubled in size again.

Preheat the oven to 180C fan-forced

Brush the tops of the buns with the beaten egg.  Mix together the cocoa, flour, and water and transfer to a piping bag. Pipe crosses over the top of the buns 

Bake for 20-25 minutes until shiny and crisp on top. Enjoy!


Let’s discuss your home selling strategy.

By choosing us, you’ll benefit from our expertise and commitment, ensuring you feel confident and valued throughout the entire process.

Carla Shields

Ben and the team did an amazing job selling our house. They know the market so well and gave us the best advice throughout the whole process. We have used them before and so glad we choose to use them again. Highly recommended.

Jason Pepping

Ben is a very personable agent. He has excellent communication and was usually available to answer any questions we had, regardless of the hour!

Alex Hewton – Malins

This is the second time we have sold with Ben and both times the result has been outstanding. On a personal level we click and its clear he actually cares about both the sellers and the buyers he is working with. The result we achieved and the sheer quantity of offers received in a dead market shows what an outstanding salesman and marketer Ben (and is his team) is.

Yasas Gamage

Ben, Peter and Jade. You guys are the most awesome Real Estate Agents we have ever met. We went to hundreds of open homes and met many agents throughout our search for a home, yet we would come back to you straight away for our next house. Thank you!

Jaan Turia

Ben worked exceptionally hard on our behalf to get the sale over the line. Ours was not straightforward by any means, and Ben navigated through the many twists and turns to ensure a very satisfactory outcome for us. We highly recommend Ben. 🙂

Jo Mcgeachin

Ben was extremely easy to talk to and very informative about how things would progress. He listened to us and advised us about the right way to go. We are very happy with his pleasant and professional manner.