Eggless Dark Chocolate Hot Cross Buns/Easter Special Chocolate Hot Cross Buns

Today is Easter here, and i cant imagine Easter without hot cross buns. Though i have tried couple of Hot cross buns, i was looking for a chance to bake some chocolate loaded hot cross buns. Chocolate is our family favourite, obviously i couldnt stop myself to bake some chocolate loaded hot cross buns.Wiki says that  "A hot cross bun is a spiced sweet bun made with currants or raisins, marked with a cross on the top, and traditionally eaten on Good Friday in the British Isles, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa and some parts of the Americas". The cake marks the end of Lent and different parts of the hot cross bun have a certain meaning, including the cross representing the crucifixion of Jesus, and the spices inside signifying the spices used to embalm him at his burial. They are now available all year round in some places.

Hot cross buns may go on sale in the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand as early as New Year's Day or after Christmas.In Australia and New Zealand, a chocolate version of the bun has become popular; coffee-flavoured buns are also sold in some Australian bakeries. They generally contain the same mixture of spices, but chocolate chips are used instead of currants. There are also sticky date and caramel versions, as well as mini versions of the chocolate and traditional bun.Obviously my today's Chocolate Hot cross buns is an Australian version of Easter Special Hot cross buns. These buns are super delicious with a mild flavor of all the spices went in it. Prefect to enjoy either for breakfast or for dinner, trust me this chocolate loaded Easter buns will definitely please some hungry tummies around you. Completley eggless, these buns tastes extremely delicious served with any sort of spreads.

3+1/2cups Bread flour
75grams Butter
1cup Luke warm milk
1/4cup Unsweetened cacao powder
1+1/2tbsp Instant yeast
1/2tsp Salt
1/2tsp Cinnamon powder
1/4tsp Nutmeg powder
1/4tsp Clove powder
1/4cup Sugar
1/4cup Honey
1/2cup Chocolate chips

For Cross:
3tbsp Flour
2tbsp Water

Honey Glaze:
1tbsp Honey
1tsp Water

Take the flour,unsweetened cacao powder, yeast.cinnamon powder,nutmeg powder,clove powder, sugar,salt,chocolate chips in a bowl.

Add the lukewarm milk, honey, butter and knead everything well until the dough turns soft and stiff dough.

Grease a bowl, drop the dough, wrap it and arrange in a warm place until its gets double in volume.

Punch the dough and knead the dough again.

Divide the dough into 9 equal balls, shape them well and place in a baking tray lined with a baking sheet with enough space in between.

Cover the dough with a towel and let it sit for 45 minutes.

Meanwhile make a thick paste of flour and water and fill this in a ziplock bag. Make cross over each bun.

Preheat the oven for 350F and bake these buns for 20 min or until the crust turns golden brown. Now prepare the honey glaze and brush the top of the buns generously.

Transfer to wire rack and allow it to cool completely.

Enjoy.