CHOCOLATE ORANGE HOT CROSS BUNS (2)
(with or without bread machine)


1/2 cup warm water
1/2 cup warm milk
1/3 cup sugar
80 grams butter, soft (1/3 cup)
1 teaspoon salt
1 egg, lightly beaten
finely grated rind 2 x medium oranges
1 tablespoon cocoa
3 1/2 cups plain flour
1 heaped teaspoon bread improver, optional
3 teaspoons instant dried yeast

1 cup dark chocolate chips

BREAD MACHINE.....
place ingredients into bread machine in order as recommended by the manufacturer. set to dough cycle.  I add the chocolate chips when the the dough has come together. dough should
double in size.

when ready, punch dough down, knead lightly and divide into 12* equal sized pieces. roll each piece into a ball. place balls onto baking tray.

cover tray with a teatowel and place tray in a warm place for 1 hour until buns have doubled in size.

heat oven to 190 c. (375 f.)

pipe crosses onto buns then cook for approx. 25 minutes until brown.

remove from oven and glaze.

BY HAND....
in a large bowl, dissolve yeast in warm water. stir in milk, sugar, butter, salt, egg, rind, cocoa and 2
cups of the flour.

using an electric mixer, beat until smooth. (can use a wooden spoon also)

stir in remaining flour. if dough is too sticky, add a little more flour. stir in chocolate chips.

turn onto a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth and elastic.

place in a large greased bowl, then turn greased side up, cover and let rise in a warm place until double, about 1 1/2 hours.

follow rest of the directions for bread machine from punch down.



CROSSES
5 tablespoons plain flour
1 tablespoon cocoa, sifted
5 1/2 tablespoons water

mix all together till well combined and a smooth thickish paste. needs to hold shape.

GLAZE

2 tablespoons caster sugar
2 tablespoons boiling water

stir till sugar is dissolved and brush over hot buns.

* I like larger sized buns, to make smaller divide dough into 15 pieces.