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Chocolate and Orange Hot Cross Buns

byMarsha published: updated:
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5 from 2 votes

Chocolate and Orange Hot Cross Buns – Soft, fluffy hot cross buns packed with chocolate chips, warm spices, and fresh orange flavour. A delicious twist on the Easter classic.

A detailed view of the shiny, golden surface of the buns, with a soft cross pattern and chocolate chips peeking through.

These chocolate and orange hot cross buns are soft, fluffy, and packed with flavour. Studded with chocolate chips and infused with fresh orange zest and juice, they’re a delicious twist on the traditional Easter favourite.

Finished with a glossy orange glaze, these homemade buns are perfect served warm with butter alongside a cup of tea or coffee.

Looking for more Easter treats? Check out my Baked Carrot Cake Doughnuts, Mini Egg Cookies, and my Creme Egg Brownies.

The baking tray with soft, fluffy buns, three pieces torn away to reveal the airy crumb inside, with chocolate chips studded throughout.

Ingredient highlights

  • Fresh orange juice and zest: Adds bright citrus flavour throughout the buns and glaze. Fresh oranges are recommended for the best flavour.
  • Bread flour: Creates a soft, chewy texture that makes these buns wonderfully fluffy.
  • Chocolate chips: Add pockets of melted chocolate throughout each bun. Milk, dark, or semi-sweet chocolate all work well.
  • Mixed spice: Gives the buns their classic warm flavour. If you can’t find mixed spice, use extra cinnamon with a pinch of nutmeg.

The printable recipe card with the full list of ingredients, their measurements, and instructions can be found at the bottom of this post.

NOTE: For best results, I highly recommend using the gram measurements (with a digital scale), rather than the cup measurements. Cup measurements are simply not accurate enough, and I cannot guarantee the best results if you use them.

Chocolate and Orange Hot Cross Buns

Recipe FAQs

Can I use instant yeast instead of active dry yeast?

Yes. Use the same amount of instant yeast and mix it directly into the dry ingredients.

Why didn’t my dough rise properly?

The yeast may have been expired, the milk may have been too hot, or the dough may have been left somewhere too cool to rise properly.

Can I make these without chocolate chips?

Absolutely. Replace them with raisins, currants, or dried cranberries for a more traditional hot cross bun.

How do I know when the buns are fully baked?

They should be golden brown and have an internal temperature of 88C to 93C if using a thermometer.

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Chocolate and Orange Hot Cross Buns

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The baking tray with soft, fluffy buns, three pieces torn away to reveal the airy crumb inside, with chocolate chips studded throughout.
Simply Bake

Chocolate and Orange Hot Cross Buns

Soft, spiced hot cross buns with chocolate chips and zesty orange. This easy recipe makes a delicious twist on the classic, perfect for Easter or any occasion!
Author: Marsha
Prep Time: 45 minutes
Cook Time: 35 minutes
Rise Time 1 hour 30 minutes
Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes
Yields: 12 buns

Ingredients

For the Dough

  • 1 ¼ cups (300ml) whole milk, warmed to 43C/110F
  • ½ cup (100g) granulated sugar
  • 4 ½ teaspoons (14g or 2 sachets) dry active yeast
  • ½ cup (115g) unsalted butter, melted and cooled
  • 2 large eggs + 1 large egg yolk, room temperature
  • ¼ cup (60ml) fresh orange juice, about 1 large orange
  • Zest of 1 large orange
  • 6 ¼ cups (780g) bread flour
  • 2 teaspoons mixed spice
  • ½ teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
  • ¾ teaspoon salt
  • ¾ cup (130g) chocolate chips

For the Crosses

  • ½ cup (60g) plain/all-purpose flour
  • 1 tablespoon granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup (60ml) water

For the Glaze

  • ¼ cup (50g) granulated sugar
  • ¼ cup (60ml) fresh orange juice, about 1 large orange

Instructions

For the Dough

  • In a large measuring jug, stir together the milk, sugar, and yeast. Set aside and allow the yeast to foam and bubble up – about 10 minutes.
  • In a large mixing bowl, add the yeast mixture, butter, eggs, egg yolk, orange juice, and zest, and whisk until combined.
  • Add the flour, spices, salt, and chocolate chips, and mix until a rough, sticky dough forms.
  • Transfer the dough to a well floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes until smooth, elastic, and tacky. Your hand will stick to the dough when kneading, but should come off completely clean.
  • NOTE: If the dough gets too sticky to knead, sprinkle 1 teaspoon of flour at a time onto the dough or work surface until it becomes more manageable. Do NOT add more flour than you need because this will result in dry, dense buns.
  • Place the dough into a lightly greased large bowl, cover with clingfilm or a tea towel, and leave to rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
  • TIP: Preheat the oven to 43C/110F. Once heated, turn the oven off. Place the covered dough inside, and allow to rise in this warm environment.
  • Once the dough has doubled in size, gently deflate with your fist and transfer to a lightly floured surface.
  • Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces and roll into balls.
  • Place them in a greased 9×13-inch baking pan, cover with clingfilm or a tea towel, and leave to rise again in a warm place for 30 minutes.
  • Preheat the oven to 180C/160C Fan/350F/Gas 4.

For the Flour Crosses

  • In a small mixing bowl, whisk together the flour and sugar. Stir in the water until smooth.
  • Place into a piping bag, snip off a small piece at the corner, and pipe crosses over the buns.
  • Bake, uncovered, for 35 – 40 minutes or until risen, golden brown, and the internal temperature of the buns reach 88C – 93C (190F – 200F).

For the Glaze

  • In a small saucepan, gently heat the sugar and orange juice until the sugar has dissolved.
  • Brush the glaze over the hot buns, and serve warm.

Recipe Notes

Storage: Leftovers can be stored, covered tightly, at room temperature or in the fridge for up to 1 week. Baked buns also freeze well for up to 3 months. Thaw overnight in the fridge. Warm up or toast before serving.
Make ahead: Divide the dough into 12 balls, and place into the prepared pan as instructed. Cover with clingfilm and refrigerate overnight. In the morning, let the dough rise in a warm place for 30 minutes before topping with the crosses and baking.

Nutrition Information:

Serving: 1 bun Calories: 517 kcal Carbohydrates: 76 g Protein: 14 g Fat: 16 g Saturated Fat: 9 g Cholesterol: 190 mg Fiber: 3 g Sugar: 23 g

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

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50 Comments

  1. This recipe has become a staple breakfast in our house, I make them once or twice a month! They are soo good!

    Reply

  2. I baked these hot x buns the other day and they are delicious, Also, I made a batch of lemon and ginger buns which were equally tasty.

    Reply

  3. Just to clarify that you add the glaze after baking, before eating, while still warm? A high end grocery store used to sell choc and orange hot cross buns and my hubby loved them, but they arent doing them this year so going to try making some as a surprise.

    Reply

  4. Can the dough be made and rise in the fridge overnight? Would love to have this ready for breakfast in the morning without having to wake up early for the first rise.

    Reply

  5. I’m in the US, what is mixed spice? Can you explain what is in mixed spice in the UK? I don’t like the idea of pumpkin spice with chocolate, and want to use some other spice.

    Reply

  7. I want to dive right into these. They look so tender! Chocolate and orange is such a tempting and delicious combination. What a great ideas for these buns!

    Reply

  10. Marsha, I’ve been drooling over these hot cross buns all week on social media! They are just… perfection. Love how fluffy and tasty they look. 🙂 The orange glaze on top is just mouthwatering. Pinning this! 🙂

    Reply

  18. I wanted to try this kind of cross buns for Easter, but I wasn’t feeling so well, so I did not actually cook or bake anything at all. Your version sounds even better than the one I wanted to make. It is pinned!

    Reply

  24. These hot cross buns look beautiful. A perfect recipe to try for the Easter holiday. I love the touch of chocolate and orange too. Have a beautiful and blessed holiday weekend.

    Reply

  25. I heard that cross buns are so popular in UK during Easter. Is it true? I see a lot of them lately in the stores here in Canada. I never tried them but I am definitely looking forward to bake them. They look yum!

    Reply