Prep 25min (+1hr 30min proving time)Bake 25minMakes 12

An updated version of the traditional favourite, these hot cross buns are studded with chunks of dark chocolate and tart, dried cherries. They're simply too hard to resist – especially when served warm with lashings of butter!

Ingredients

750g (5 cups/1lb 10½oz) strong bread or pizza (high protein) flour (see Baker's Tips)
55g (¼ cup/2oz) caster sugar
2 x 7g sachets (4 teaspoons) instant dried yeast
1½ teaspoons mixed spice
1½ teaspoons ground cinnamon
1 teaspoon salt
150g (1 cup/5¼oz) dried cherries (see Baker's Tips)
75g (½ cup/2¾oz) currants
435ml (1¾ cups/14¾fl oz) milk
60g (2fl oz) salted butter, cubed, plus extra, to grease and serve
2 eggs, at room temperature
1 teaspoon natural vanilla essence or extract
100g (3½oz) good-quality dark chocolate, chopped

Flour paste
75g (½ cup/2¾oz) plain flour
75ml (2½fl oz) water

Glaze
55g (¼ cup/ 2oz) caster sugar
2 tablespoons water

Method

1. Put the bread flour, sugar, yeast, mixed spice, cinnamon and salt in a large bowl and mix to combine. Stir through the dried cherries and currants.
2. Heat the milk and butter in a small saucepan over medium heat until the butter has just melted and the milk is lukewarm. Whisk one of the eggs with the vanilla and add to the milk mixture. Whisk to combine. Add to the dry ingredients and use a wooden spoon and then your hands to mix to a soft dough.
3. Turn out onto a lightly floured bench top. Knead for 8-10 minutes or until smooth and elastic. Lightly grease a clean large bowl with a little butter, add the dough and turn to coat the dough. Cover with plastic wrap and set aside in a warm, draught-free place for 1 hour or until doubled in volumn.
4. Line a large baking tray with baking paper. Punch the centre of the dough down with your fist. Turn onto a lightly floured bench top. Knead for 2-3 minutes or until smooth. Knead in the chocolate until evenly combined. Divide the dough into 12 equal portions. Roll each portion into a ball and place on the tray, allowing a little room for spreading. Cover with a damp tea towel and set aside in a warm, draught-free place for 30 minutes or until almost doubled in size.
5. Preheat the oven to 180°C/350°F (160°C/315°F fan-forced). Meanwhile, make the Flour Paste. Combine the flour and water in a bowl and beat with a wooden spoon until smooth. Spoon into a small, good-quality snap-lock bag and seal.
6. Whisk the remaining egg and brush the tops of the buns with it. Snip a small hole in the corner of the snap-lock bag containing the Flour Paste and pipe crosses on the buns.
7. Bake in the preheated oven for 25 minutes or until the buns are cooked and sound hollow when tapped on the base.
8. Meanwhile, make the Glaze. Combine the sugar and water in a small saucepan over medium heat and stir until the sugar dissolves. Bring to a simmer and simmer for 1 minute. Transfer the hot cross buns to a wire rack and brush the tops with the glaze. Serve warm, spread with butter.