Print

Delicious Chocolate Cross Buns Recipe with Easy Dark Chocolate Cream Filling

chocolate cross buns - featured image
Print Recipe

Soft, fluffy chocolate cross buns filled with a rich dark chocolate cream filling and topped with a chocolate cross. A comforting and indulgent twist on traditional hot cross buns.

Ingredients

Scale
  • 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour (440 g)
  • ¼ cup granulated sugar (50 g)
  • 2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast (7 g)
  • 1 cup warm whole milk (240 ml, about 110°F / 43°C)
  • 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened (45 g)
  • 2 large eggs, room temperature
  • ½ teaspoon salt (3 g)
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 6 ounces good quality dark chocolate (70% cocoa or higher), chopped (170 g)
  • ½ cup heavy cream (120 ml)
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened (28 g)
  • 2 tablespoons powdered sugar (15 g)
  • Pinch of salt
  • ⅓ cup all-purpose flour (45 g)
  • 2 tablespoons cocoa powder (15 g, unsweetened)
  • 2 tablespoons powdered sugar (15 g)
  • Approx. 3 tablespoons water (45 ml)

Instructions

  1. Activate the yeast by combining warm milk (about 110°F / 43°C) with instant yeast and a pinch of sugar. Let sit for 5-7 minutes until foamy.
  2. In a large bowl or stand mixer, whisk together flour, sugar, and salt. Add softened butter, eggs, vanilla extract, and yeast mixture. Mix with dough hook for 8-10 minutes or knead by hand for 12 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  3. Shape dough into a ball, place in greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm spot for 1 to 1.5 hours until doubled in size.
  4. Heat heavy cream in a small saucepan until just simmering. Pour over chopped dark chocolate, let sit 2 minutes, then whisk until smooth. Stir in softened butter, powdered sugar, and salt. Cover and refrigerate to thicken.
  5. Punch down dough, divide into 12 equal pieces (~2 oz / 57 g each). Flatten each piece, place about a teaspoon of chilled chocolate cream filling in center, fold edges to seal, and shape into balls. Place on parchment-lined baking tray.
  6. Cover buns loosely and let rise for 45 minutes until puffy.
  7. Make chocolate cross topping by mixing flour, cocoa powder, powdered sugar, and water into a thick paste. Transfer to pastry or zip-top bag and pipe crosses on buns.
  8. Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake buns for 15-18 minutes until firm and cross topping is set.
  9. Cool buns on wire rack for at least 10 minutes before serving. Best enjoyed slightly warm.

Notes

Use dark chocolate you enjoy eating for best flavor. Chill the chocolate cream filling before shaping buns to prevent oozing. Milk temperature should be warm (110°F) to activate yeast properly. Knead dough thoroughly for soft texture. If dough is sticky, dust hands lightly with flour. Oven temperatures vary; start checking buns at 15 minutes to avoid overbaking.

Nutrition

Keywords: chocolate cross buns, hot cross buns, chocolate cream filling, Easter buns, chocolate buns, homemade buns, baking, dessert, chocolate recipe

Find it online: https://goldensimmer.com/delicious-chocolate-cross-buns-recipe-with-easy-dark-chocolate-cream-filling/