Easter Cross Buns

12 servings

180 minutes

Cross buns are traditionally served on Good Friday in the UK, Ireland and Australia. The distinctive feature of these buns is the spicy aromatic dough, which is complemented by pieces of dark chocolate and raisins. The dough is very easy to work with by hand (so you can do without a mixer), and wrapping a piece of chocolate in it is a special pleasure that you can entrust to children. Important: if the cross disappears during baking, do not worry, it will begin to appear right before the end of cooking . It is better to eat such buns on the very first day, but you can make a preparation: freeze freshly baked cooled buns, and when you decide to serve them, heat them up one by one in the defrost mode in the microwave (one minute will be enough). When defrosting, it is better to put a paper towel under the bun so that it absorbs excess moisture.

Energy value per serving

• Calories: 284.8
• Proteins: 5.8g
• Fats: 9.6g
• Carbohydrates: 44.8g

Ingredients

• Butter: 50 g
• Sugar: 50 g
• Ground cardamom: 0.5 tsp
• Ground cloves: 0.3 tsp
• Ground cinnamon: 0.3 tsp
• Nutmeg: to taste
• Milk: 200 ml
• Chicken egg: 1 pc
• Wheat flour: 400 g
• Dry yeast: 11 g
• Dark chocolate 70%: 150 g
• Dark raisins: 100 g
• Honey: 3 tbsp

Cooking steps

1. Melt the butter, sugar, all spices, and a pinch of salt in a saucepan over low heat.

   Required ingredients:

   • Butter: 50 g
   • Sugar: 50 g
   • Ground cardamom: 0.5 teaspoon
   • Ground cloves: 0.3 teaspoon
   • Ground cinnamon: 0.3 teaspoon
   • Nutmeg:  to taste

2. Pour cold milk into the mixture, add an egg, and whisk lightly.

   Required ingredients:

   • Milk: 200 ml
   • Chicken egg: 1 piece

3. Sift the flour into a bowl, add the yeast. Make a well in the center, add the milk mixture, and gradually mix. Start kneading the dough in the bowl.

   Required ingredients:

   • Wheat flour: 400 g
   • Dry yeast: 11 g

4. When the dough starts to come together into a single mass, continue kneading it on the table until soft and elastic. Place it in a floured bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and put it in a warm place for 1.5 hours until the dough doubles in size.

5. Soak the raisins in hot water for 5-10 minutes. Dry them.

   Required ingredients:

   • Dark raisins: 100 g

6. Cut half of the chocolate into twelve equal pieces and set aside. Chop the remaining chocolate coarsely.

   Required ingredients:

   • Dark chocolate 70%: 150 g

7. Transfer the dough to a clean surface. Slightly stretch the dough, sprinkle with chocolate chips and raisins. Knead the dough again, incorporating any fallen pieces of chocolate and raisins.

   Required ingredients:

   • Dark chocolate 70%: 150 g
   • Dark raisins: 100 g

8. Grease a 25x35 cm baking tray with vegetable oil. Divide the dough into twelve equal parts. Slightly flatten each part by hand, place a piece of chocolate in the center, pinch the edges, and form a ball. Repeat with the remaining dough parts. Place on the baking tray, leaving a small gap between the buns.

   Required ingredients:

   • Dark chocolate 70%: 150 g

9. Cover with a damp cloth and leave in a warm place for 45 minutes or until the rolls double in size.

10. Mix 2 tablespoons of flour with a little water to make a liquid dough. Pour the dough into a piping bag. Pipe crosses on the buns. Bake for 25 minutes at 180 degrees or until golden brown. Cool on a rack.

    Required ingredients:

    • Wheat flour: 400 g

11. Slightly warm the honey until it becomes liquid. Brush it on the buns. Serve with butter and a pinch of salt.

    Required ingredients:

    • Honey: 3 tablespoons