Chocolate, Coffee and Walnut Hot Cross Buns

Makes 12 buns | 2+ hours 

Ingredients

60g unsalted butter 

300ml milk 

510g plain flour 

100g caster sugar 

35g cocoa powder 

10g instant coffee

7g instant yeast 

½ tsp salt 

1 tsp vanilla extract 

1 egg, lightly beaten 

100g dark chocolate chips 

100g walnuts, roughly chopped 

Crosses

90ml water

30g cocoa powder

30g plain flour 

Glaze

30g unsalted butter

40g dark brown sugar

½ tsp vanilla extract

1 tbsp milk

Sea salt flakes, to garnish 

Method:

Step 1:Melt the butter in the microwave, then add the milk and stir. Set aside to cool slightly. In the bowl of an electric stand mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment, combine the flour, sugar, cocoa, instant coffee, yeast, and salt. Mix gently to combine, then add the milk-butter mixture to the bowl, along with the vanilla extract. Mix gently for 10-15 seconds, then add the egg. Continue mixing on low speed for 6-8 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and elastic. Add the chocolate chips and walnuts and mix for another minute until combined.

Step 2: Grease a large bowl with oil and place the dough inside. Cover with plastic wrap or a clean damp tea towel and place in the Panasonic 4-in-1 Steam Microwave Oven to prove at 35°C for 1 hour, or until the dough has doubled in size. 

Step 3: Dust a clean surface with flour, then gently turn out the dough and divide it into 12 equal portions. Grease a baking dish with butter and place the buns inside. Cover again and return to the Microwave Oven at 35°C for another 45 minutes - 1 hour, or until they have grown in size.

Step 4: Preheat the Microwave Oven to 190°C. For the crosses, place the water In a small bowl and gradually add the plain flour and cocoa powder until it forms a thick paste. Spoon the mixture into a zip-lock bag and cut a small hole off one corner. Pipe the mixture onto the buns in a cross shape. Transfer to the Microwave Oven and bake for 20 minutes.

Step 5: Meanwhile, in a small saucepan, combine the glaze ingredients and bring to a simmer for 2 minutes. Once the buns are baked, brush the glaze over them and sprinkle with sea salt flakes.