This Chocolate Hot Cross Buns recipe is a special twist on the classic that tastes amazing. With chocolate in two forms – cocoa and chocolate chips – I love these even more than a traditional hot cross bun.

When they come out the oven, those chips are still all oozy and gooey and perfect. Perfect for slathering butter all over and devouring as it melts in.

Truly the best hot cross buns recipe, these choc hcbs taste amazing and are also fool-proof.  Check out my white chocolate cranberry hot cross buns which is where this chocolate version is adapted from. 

Or for a super indulgent Easter breakfast, try this giant chocolate scroll.

This post was first published here on 22nd March, 2018. It has been updated with more useful information.

Hot cross buns still in the tray they were baked in.

FEATURED COMMENT

These buns were tender and delicious, we are a very small household but they were gone before I could realize! Great recipe, I can’t wait to try it again and to experiment with different flavorings and mix-ins!

Irene

Table of contents

Ingredients you’ll need

Ingredients for Chocolate hot cross buns on a marble surface.

Detailed quantities and instructions in the recipe card below.

Flour, sugar, milk, eggs – these are all very normal hot cross bun or bread baking ingredients. Then we add in some cocoa and chocolate chips for the chocolate flavour.

These choc hot cross buns are a yeasted bread, so you will need yeast but instant or active dry yeast both work perfectly and are very simple to use.

Now for the spices and flavourings. It just isn’t a hot cross bun without a little spice so cinnamon and a little vanilla extract are the perfect combo. With one bite, you know it’s Easter time.

How to make chocolate hot cross buns

Traditionally eaten on Good Friday, hot cross buns are fun and fairly simple to make. It’s such a satisfying recipe when they’re fluffy and fresh out of the oven ready to be devoured.

4 images showing how to prepare chocolate hot cross bun dough.

Detailed quantities and instructions in the recipe card below.

Making the dough

  1. Melt some butter in a little milk, then pour in some cold milk (photo 1) to get it to the perfect temperature to help the yeast do it’s job.
  2. Add the dry ingredients to a bowl (photo 2) and whisk them to mix then pour in the warm milk and butter (photo 3).
  3. Give it a rough mix then add egg (photo 4).
4 images showing hot cross bun dough proving and having choc chips added.

The first proof

  1. Use a dough scraper (a silicone or rubber tool that helps you to pull dough together) to pull the dough into a ball (photo 5).
  2. Spray the bowl with oil, then place it back in (photo 6) and cover until doubled (photo 7)
  3. Add the chocolate chips (photo 8) and gently knead them into the dough.
6 images showing the how to roll and proof hot cross buns.

The second proof and baking

  1. Cut the dough into 12 even pieces and roll them into smooth balls (photo 9).
  2. Place the dough balls 9×13 inch baking sheet (or baking dish) lined with baking paper (photo 10) and let them double in size again (photo 11).
  3. Brush the risen dough balls with beaten egg yolk (photo 12).
  4. Pipe lines over the middle of each row (photo 13), to form a cross on each bun (photo 14). Bake for around 20 minutes.
Hot cross buns stacked on a plate with choc chips and butter closeby.

How does yeast work?

Yeast is actually a living organism. Under the right conditions, yeast will grow and release carbon dioxide which acts to leaven bread (give it lift and make it rise).

So what are the right conditions? Yeast needs warmth (not too hot, just warm) and sugar to feed.

In contrast, salt can kill yeast so when adding salt to dough always make sure it doesn’t touch the yeast.

Tips and tricks for making hot cross buns;

Working with yeast does require a little care.

Yeast needs a tepid – warm mixture to bloom properly. If it’s too hot, it will kill the yeast. Too cold and it will take far too long to rise, although not impossible.

  1. Check your yeast: If your yeast is quite old it may not work the way it’s meant to. To check this, mix it into the warm milk mixture with some of the sugar and let it sit for 5 minutes. If you see it start to look a little frothy, you’re good to go. Now, just add the yeast mixture to everything else in the bowl.  
  2. Don’t overheat the milk at the start. You add it to melted butter over low heat until it just starts to steam. Now you cool it just slightly by adding the remaining milk. This is then added to the bowl along with the dry ingredients and yeast.
  3. Adding the sugar at this stage too will assist the yeast in doing it’s thing. Sugar is food for yeast.
  4. There are a few different types of yeast out there. I use instant dried yeast in this recipe but you can substitute for active dry yeast in the same quantity.
    It can be purchased in tubs so you can scoop out what you need or you’ll often find it prepacked in 7g (2 ¼ teaspoon) lots. Also, instant yeast will make bread rise more quickly than active dry yeast.
  5. Make sure the yeast is fresh. Don’t use yeast that’s been banging around your pantry for years. If you buy yeast and won’t use it all quickly, you can freeze it for up to a year.
  6. When shaping the buns, it’s helpful to kind of tuck the edges and pull them underneath, so that the top becomes nice and smooth.
  7. Make sure the buns are all equal size so they bake evenly.

Variations

You can spice these up a little more by adding a pinch of all spice, nutmeg or ground cloves. Or why not try adding a tbsp of orange zest to the dough for the classic chocolate/orange combo.

So now you have a very good excuse to eat chocolate for breakfast so bake up a batch and enjoy.

2 hot cross buns stacked on a crocheted napkin with more around it.
A hot cross bun cut open on a plate with butter spread on top.

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12 chocolate hot cross buns in teh tray they were baked in.

Chocolate Hot Cross Buns Recipe

Yield: 12 buns
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Cook Time: 25 minutes
Rising time: 2 hours
Total Time: 40 minutes
4.7 from 70 ratings
Making hot cross buns is incredibly easy with this Chocolate Hot Cross Buns recipe. Filled with chocolate chips plus cocoa in the dough, your family will be coming back for more.
This recipe has rising time, Make sure to plan ahead.
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Ingredients

  • 57 g unsalted butter (¼ cup / ½ stick)
  • 300 ml milk (10 floz)
  • 520 g plain flour (all purpose flour) (4 cups / 18.5oz)
  • 35 g unsweetened cocoa powder (⅓ cup / 1.5oz)
  • 2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast (or active dry) (1 sachets / 7g)
  • ½ cup white granulated sugar (100g / 3.5oz)
  • 2 teaspoons ground cinnamon
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
  • 1 large egg, lightly beaten
  • 1 cup milk or dark chocolate chips (200g / 7oz)

To top

  • 1 egg yolk, beaten with a dash of water
  • 2 tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
  • 1 tablespoon plain flour (all purpose flour)
  • 2 ½ tablespoons water (50ml) (notes)

For best results, always weigh ingredients where a weight is provided

Instructions
 

  • In a small saucepan over low heat, stir half the milk and butter until the butter melts. Add the remaining cold milk to cool it down a bit and set aside.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer using the dough hook attachment, add the flour, cocoa, yeast, sugar and cinnamon and give it a mix together (no standmixer? see note 5).
  • Check the melted butter and milk mixture is just warm and not hot (if hot, let it sit for 5-10 minutes until just warm) then pour it into the flour mixture along with the vanilla. Give it a slight mix until starting to clump together then add the egg.
  • Beat on low for around 7 minutes until smooth and elastic.
  • Use a dough scraper to pull the dough together and lift it out of the bowl. Spray with olive oil spray, then place it back in the bowl. Spray the top of the dough lightly with oil too. Cover with plastic wrap and allow to rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
  • Once the dough has risen, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface. Gently knead in the chocolate chips until evenly distributed. Don’t knead for too long.
  • Shape into a ball of dough. Cut the ball in 6 even portions, then cut each of those pieces in half.
  • Line the base of a casserole dish or large baking tin (at least 9×13 inch) with baking paper.
  • Shape each piece of dough into a small ball and sit them side by side in the prepared tray (they should be just touching). Cover with a damp tea towel and allow to rise for another hour or until doubled in size again.
  • Preheat the oven to 200C / 400F / 180C fan forced
  • Brush the egg yolk mixed with a dash of water over the tops of the buns.
  • In a small bowl, mix together the cocoa, flour and 2 ½ tablespoons water and transfer to a piping bag. Pipe crosses over the top of the buns (you can do this by piping 1 long line across the middle of each row of buns, then repeat until they all have a cross).
  • Bake for 20-25 minutes until shiny and crisp on top.
  • Serve warm, with butter or toast in a toaster.
  • Please take a moment to leave a comment & rating. It's appreciated and so helpful.

Video

Notes

  1. I use a standard Australian 20ml tablespoon (4 teaspoons worldwide). Many countries use a 15ml teaspoon – check and adjust if necessary.
  2. Flour: Bread flour will also work and give a slightly chewier texture.
  3. For best results you should always weigh ingredients like flour and sugar. Kitchen scales are relatively cheap but if you can’t weigh the ingredients, use the spoon and level method (don’t scoop).
  4. All ovens vary, always check the bake 2-3 minutes before the recipe suggests and consider investing in an independent oven thermometer. Small and cheap, they’re often more reliable the ovens own thermostat.
  5. You can also knead the mixture by hand, if preferred. It is a sticky dough and you’ll need to be patient with it.
    • Mix it together in a large bowl with a wooden spoon, then start kneading by hand.
    • Don’t be tempted to add too much flour or they’ll turn out dry. 
    • Holding a dough scraper in one hand to lift and fold, then kneading with the other works best
    • Knead until smooth and elastic

More Information

These links will take you up to the post – just scroll down to get back to the recipe card.
MORE EASTER RECIPES!
 
Calories: 345kcal
Author: Marie Roffey
Course: Afternoon Tea, Breakfast, Brunch, Desserts, Lunch, snacks
Cuisine: American, Australian, Easter, English
Have you tried this recipe?Don’t forget to leave a rating and comment below and let me know how it was! I love hearing from you. Nutrition information is approximate and derived from an online calculator. The brands you use may cause variations.
Nutrition Facts
Chocolate Hot Cross Buns Recipe
Amount Per Serving (144 g)
Calories 345 Calories from Fat 99
% Daily Value*
Fat 11g17%
Saturated Fat 6g38%
Trans Fat 0.2g
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 2g
Cholesterol 45mg15%
Sodium 20mg1%
Potassium 218mg6%
Carbohydrates 56g19%
Fiber 3g13%
Sugar 18g20%
Protein 8g16%
Vitamin A 206IU4%
Vitamin C 0.02mg0%
Calcium 63mg6%
Iron 3mg17%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.