Chocolate Orange Hot Cross BunsYum Gluten Free

CHOCOLATE ORANGE HOT CROSS BUNS

{ ONE A PENNY TWO A PENNY HOT CROSS BUNS! }

Contributor: Harvest Breads & Cafe

{ INGREDIENTS }

1 ½ cups warm milk of your choice

20g dried yeast

1 tablespoon sugar

500g gluten free flour bread mix

1 tablespoon xanthan gum, if your bread mix doesn’t have any

1 teaspoon salt

2 tablespoons gluten free cocoa

3 teaspoons mixed spice

3 teaspoons cinnamon

1 cup sultanas

½ cup mixed peel

Zest of 1½ oranges

½ cup fresh orange juice

2 eggs, lightly beaten

1 cup dark chocolate buttons

CROSS

2 tablespoons gluten free flour

1 teaspoon sugar (optional)

3 tablespoons water

GLAZE

½ cup warmed apricot jam

{ METHOD }

Preheat oven to 200 degrees Celcius and spray/line a large baking tray. Combine warm milk, yeast and sugar and set aside for 10 mins to activate.

In another bowl combine bread mix, xanthan gum, salt, spices, dried fruits and choc buttons. Stir well. Add yeast mixture, eggs and orange juice to dry mix. Mix with a dough hook attachment for about 5 mins on medium. Shape into buns and place on tray for 30-40 mins to prove.

{ Crosses } Mix together ingredients into a paste. Pipe lines over the buns to form the crosses. Bake at 180 degrees for 25-30 minutes until cooked.

{ Glaze } With the warm apricot jam and serve.

{ OPTIONAL } To makes these really orangey, replace 1/2 cup milk with 1/2 cup fresh orange juice, and a couple of drops of pure orange essential oil.