Unconventional Hot Cross Buns Recipe with Dark Chocolate & Dried Cherries
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Unconventional Hot Cross Buns Recipe with Dark Chocolate & Dried Cherries
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Hot cross buns get a welcome non-traditional makeover with the addition of dark chocolate chunks and dried cherries. Perfect or Easter brunch!
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Ingredients
Hot Cross Buns:
- 6 tablespoon unsalted butter melted and cooled
- ¾ cup low-fat buttermilk well-shaken
- 1 0.75 ounce package (2 ¼ teaspoon) dried yeast
- 4 tablespoons agave nectar or honey divided
- 3 large eggs
- 3 ¼ cups all-purpose flour divided
- 1 cup whole wheat flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
- ⅓ cup dark chocolate chips roughly chopped if chips are large
- ⅓ cup dried cherries
- 1 large egg
- 1 tablespoon water
Glaze:
- ¾ cup powdered sugar
- 1 tablespoon milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla
Instructions
Hot Cross Buns:
- In a medium bowl, melt unsalted butter in the microwave. Let cool.
- Pour low-fat buttermilk into a small saucepan. Heat to approximately 110 degrees F. Pour into a large liquid measuring cup. Stir yeast and 1 tablespoon agave nectar into the buttermilk.
- Let the mixture sit until foamy bubbles appear on the surface of the buttermilk, about 10 minutes. Whisk in eggs, the cooled melted butter and remaining 3 tablespoons agave nectar.
- The next part can be done with a stand-mixer equipped with a dough hook or by hand. In a large bowl, combine all-purpose flour, whole wheat flour, salt, and cinnamon. Whisk to combine.
- Add the buttermilk mixture. Mix with a wooden spoon until the ingredients form into a dough. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for 8 to 10 minutes, adding flour by 1 tablespoon at a time if dough is sticky, until dough is smooth and elastic.
- Punch a whole in the center of the dough, and add chocolate and dried cherries.
- Knead the chocolate and dried cherries into the dough until they are evenly dispersed. Place the dough into a bowl coated with cooking spray.
- Cover with plastic wrap and place in a warm, draft-free place until the dough doubles in size, 2 to 2½ hours.
- Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and divide the dough into 12 pieces. With the palm of your hand, roll each ball to form a ball. Coat a 9- by 13-inch baking pan with cooking spray. Place the 12 balls of dough into the pan. Wrap tightly with greased plastic wrap. Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free place for 1 to 1½ hours, or until the rolls double in size and are pressed against each other.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F with the rack in the middle position.
- Using a small, sharp knife, cut a ¼-inch deep X through the top of each bun.
- In a small bowl, whisk together 1 large egg and 1 tablespoon water. Brush the tops of the buns with the egg mixture.
- Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, or until the buns are puffed and golden brown. Sit the pan on a cooling rack and let the buns cool in the pan for 5 minutes.
The Glaze:
- Whisk together powdered sugar, milk, and vanilla. Using a small spoon, drizzle the glaze over top of the buns in an X, in the grooves on the buns. Serve warm or cool to room temperature.
Notes
- Basic hot cross bun recipe adapted from America's Test Kitchen.
- *Make ahead:Once you place the balls of dough in the baking pan, do not let the dough rise. Instead, store in the refrigerator overnight, up to 16 hours. Before baking, let the buns sit at room temperature until they double in size, 1 to 1½ hours.
- Please note that I am not a medical or nutritional professional. I provide nutritional information for my recipes as a courtesy to my readers. It is calculated using the built-in recipe card calculator. While I attempt to provide information that is as accurate as possible, you should calculate the nutritional information independently before relying on it.
Nutrition Information
Show Details
Serving
1Bun
Calories
326kcal
(16%)
Carbohydrates
52g
(17%)
Protein
8g
(16%)
Fat
10g
(15%)
Saturated Fat
6g
(30%)
Cholesterol
71mg
(24%)
Sodium
239mg
(10%)
Potassium
147mg
(4%)
Fiber
3g
(12%)
Sugar
17g
(34%)
Vitamin A
385IU
(8%)
Vitamin C
0.2mg
(0%)
Calcium
57mg
(6%)
Iron
2.3mg
(13%)
Nutrition Facts
Serving: 12Hot Cross Buns
Amount Per Serving
Calories 326 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Serving | 1Bun | |
| Calories | 326kcal | 16% |
| Carbohydrates | 52g | 17% |
| Protein | 8g | 16% |
| Fat | 10g | 15% |
| Saturated Fat | 6g | 30% |
| Cholesterol | 71mg | 24% |
| Sodium | 239mg | 10% |
| Potassium | 147mg | 3% |
| Fiber | 3g | 12% |
| Sugar | 17g | 34% |
| Vitamin A | 385IU | 8% |
| Vitamin C | 0.2mg | 0% |
| Calcium | 57mg | 6% |
| Iron | 2.3mg | 13% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
Genuine Reviews
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Overall Rating
5.0
3 reviews
Excellent
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