Easter Treats

Sweet baking projects to whip up this bank holiday weekend

- By Jess Meyer

Choc-orange hot cross buns

MAKES 13

Nothing beats a freshly baked bun, and these choccy ones are simple to make.

PREP TIME: 30 MINS, PLUS 2 HRS 30 MINS PROVING

COOK TIME: 20 MINS, PLUS COOLING

CALS: 322

FAT: 10G

SAT FAT: 5G

CARBS: 51G

YOU WILL NEED

500g strong white flour, plus extra to dust

½tsp fine salt

80g caster sugar

2tbsp cocoa powder

7g sachet fast-action yeast

2tbsp mixed spice

280ml milk, warmed

1 medium egg, beaten

75g butter, melted

100g mixed peel

100g dark orange chocolate, chopped into little pieces

50g plain flour

2tsp vegetable oil

1tbsp marmalade

You will need:

Piping bag with a small round nozzle

HOW TO DO IT

1 Put the flour, salt, sugar, cocoa powder, yeast and mixed spice into the bowl of a stand mixer, fitted with a dough hook. Add the warm milk, egg and butter, then mix until combined. Increase the speed and knead for 10 mins. Mix in the peel until well incorporated, cover and set aside until doubled in size (about 1 hr 30 mins).

2 Tip the dough onto a floured surface and knead in the chocolate. Divide the dough into 13 even pieces, then shape each into a smooth ball. Arrange in a ring on a lined baking tray. Cover and prove for 1 hr.

3 Heat the oven to 170C Fan/Gas 5. Mix the plain flour, oil and 50ml cold water to make a paste, fill a piping bag, then pipe a cross over each bun.

4 Bake for 20 mins. While warm, brush with marmalade, then leave to cool.