Healthy Chocolate Hot Cross Buns Recipe

Name: Chocolate Hot Cross Buns
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 20 min
Total time: 200 min
Ingredients: 1 ¼ cups whole milk (warm to 110ºF for yeast activation); 3 ½ tablespoons unsalted butter (cut into pieces); 3 ¼ cups bread flour (or all-purpose, sifted); ⅓ cup Dutch-processed cocoa powder (unsweetened); ⅓ cup granulated sugar (for sweetness); 1 teaspoon salt (fine); 2 ¼ teaspoons instant yeast (fast-acting); 1 large egg (lightly beaten); ½ cup semi-sweet chocolate chunks (roughly chopped); ½ cup milk chocolate chunks (roughly chopped); 3 tablespoons all-purpose flour (for crosses); 2 tablespoons water (for crosses); 2 tablespoons honey (for glazing)

These Chocolate Hot Cross Buns are soft, fluffy, and packed with gooey chocolate chunks in every bite. The rich cocoa dough bakes up dark and tender, with a shiny honey glaze that makes them look bakery-perfect. I first made these on a rainy Easter morning when Emma wanted "chocolate everything," and they've been our family's favorite twist on the classic ever since. If you're looking for an easy way to make your holiday breakfast feel special, these buns come together with simple ingredients and taste absolutely incredible.

Chocolate Hot Cross Buns A chocolate hot cross bun sliced open on a white plate with a slab of butter melting inside, next to a cup of tea and a butter knife.

They pair beautifully with a cup of coffee, and if you're craving more cozy breakfast ideas, try my Healthy Coffee Cake Donuts Recipe, The Best Poached Eggs Recipe, or this Delicious Creamy Grits Recipe for a complete morning spread.

Why You'll Love This Chocolate Hot Cross Buns

These Chocolate Hot Cross Buns are soft and fluffy with a tender, pull-apart texture that feels indulgent without being heavy. The chocolate flavor is rich but not overwhelming, and the gooey chocolate chunks add little pockets of melted sweetness. They're surprisingly easy to make, even if you've never worked with yeast before. The dough is forgiving, the rise times are flexible, and the whole process feels calm and rewarding. Plus, they look impressive on the table, like something you'd buy from a fancy bakery.

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Why You'll Love This Chocolate Hot Cross Buns
Ingredients For Chocolate Hot Cross Buns
How To Make Chocolate Hot Cross Buns
Substitutions and Variations
Equipment For Chocolate Hot Cross Buns
How to Store Chocolate Hot Cross Buns
Serving Suggestions
Expert Tips
FAQ
Related
Pairing
Chocolate Hot Cross Buns

Ingredients For Chocolate Hot Cross Buns

Here's everything you need to make these soft, Chocolate Hot Cross Buns from scratch.

See Recipe Card Below This Post For Ingredient Quantities

For the Buns

Whole milk: Provides moisture and richness to the dough. Heating it helps activate the yeast and creates a tender crumb.
Butter: Adds richness and helps the buns bake up soft and tender. Make sure it's melted into the warm milk for even distribution.
Bread flour or all-purpose flour: Forms the structure of the buns. Bread flour gives a slightly chewier texture, but all-purpose works beautifully too.
Dutch-processed cocoa powder: Gives the dough its deep chocolate color and rich flavor. Dutch-processed cocoa has a smoother, less acidic taste than natural cocoa.
White granulated sugar: Sweetens the dough and feeds the yeast to help it rise.
Salt: Balances the sweetness and enhances the chocolate flavor.
Instant yeast or fast action yeast: Makes the dough rise without needing to proof it first. You can mix it right into the dry ingredients.
Egg: Binds everything together and adds moisture and richness to the dough.
Semi-sweet chocolate chunks or chips: Adds gooey, melty pockets of chocolate throughout the buns.
Milk chocolate chunks or chips: Brings a sweeter, creamier chocolate flavor that balances the cocoa in the dough.

For the Crosses

All-purpose flour: Mixes with water to create a thick paste that holds its shape while baking.
Water: Thins the flour to a pipeable consistency, similar to toothpaste.

For Glazing

Honey: Brushed on warm buns to create a shiny, slightly sweet glaze that makes them look bakery-perfect.

How To Make Chocolate Hot Cross Buns

Follow these steps to make soft, Chocolate Hot Cross Buns with a glossy honey glaze.

Prepare the dough: Heat the milk in a medium saucepan until it's steaming but not boiling, then stir in the butter until melted. Set it aside to cool slightly. In a large mixing bowl or stand mixer with a dough hook, whisk together the flour, cocoa powder, sugar, salt, and yeast. Check that the milk is around 110ºF, then add it along with the lightly beaten egg to the flour mixture. Mix by hand until a rough, shaggy dough forms.

A saucepan with milk and a pat of butter, showing ingredients being heated together.

Mix on the lowest speed for 5 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and elastic, or knead by hand on a lightly floured surface for about 10 minutes. Fold in the chocolate chunks, mixing on the lowest speed for 2 minutes, and press in any loose pieces by hand.

A mixing bowl filled with chocolate dough and chocolate chunks, ready to be kneaded or folded in.

First rise: Lightly oil a glass bowl and place the dough inside. Cover it with cling wrap or a damp towel and leave it in a warm spot to rise until doubled in size, about 1 to 1 ½ hours. While the dough is rising, prepare a 13" x 9" baking pan by lining it with parchment paper.

Divide and shape: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and divide it into 12 equal sections, about 70g each. Roll each section into a smooth ball by cupping your hand over it and rolling in a circular motion.

Second rise: Place the buns in the prepared pan with a little space between them. Cover and let them rise in a warm spot for 45 minutes to 1 hour until they're puffed up and touching each other.

Make the crosses: Preheat your oven to 375ºF. In a small bowl, mix the flour and water until smooth, with a consistency similar to toothpaste. Add a little more water or flour if needed. Transfer the mixture to a piping bag and pipe a cross on top of each bun.

A tray of freshly baked chocolate hot cross buns with chocolate crosses piped on top, ready to serve, with a piping bag and scattered chocolate chips nearby.

Bake: Bake the buns on the middle rack for 20 minutes or until they're dark brown and springy to the touch. Remove them from the oven.

Glaze: Heat the honey in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds until it's warm and pourable. Brush the tops and sides of the warm buns with honey for a glossy, beautiful finish.

Substitutions and Variations

Flour: You can use all-purpose flour instead of bread flour. The texture will be slightly softer and less chewy, but still delicious.

Cocoa powder: If you don't have Dutch-processed cocoa, natural cocoa powder works, though the flavor will be slightly more acidic.

Chocolate chunks: Feel free to use all semi-sweet or all milk chocolate, or swap in dark chocolate for a more intense flavor. White chocolate chips also work if you want a sweeter twist.

Milk: Whole milk gives the richest texture, but 2% milk or even a non-dairy milk like oat or almond milk can work in a pinch.

Honey glaze: Swap honey for maple syrup or agave nectar if that's what you have on hand.

Add-ins: Try mixing in dried cherries, orange zest, or chopped nuts for extra flavor and texture.

Equipment For Chocolate Hot Cross Buns

Medium saucepan: For heating the milk and melting the butter.
Large mixing bowl or stand mixer with dough hook: Makes mixing and kneading the dough much easier.
Whisk or Danish dough whisk: Helps combine the dry ingredients evenly.
Glass bowl for rising: Clear glass lets you see when the dough has doubled.
13" x 9" baking pan: The perfect size for 12 buns with room to rise.
Parchment paper: Prevents sticking and makes cleanup easy.
Piping bag or squeeze bottle: For piping the crosses neatly on top.
Pastry brush: For brushing on the honey glaze.

How to Store Chocolate Hot Cross Buns

Room temperature: Store the Chocolate Hot Cross Buns in an airtight container or resealable bag at room temperature for up to 3 days. They'll stay soft and tender.

Refrigerator: You can refrigerate them for up to 5 days, but they may dry out slightly. Warm them in the microwave for 10 to 15 seconds before serving.

Freezer: Freeze the buns in a freezer-safe bag for up to 2 months. Thaw at room temperature or warm them in a 300ºF oven for 10 minutes.

Reheating: Warm leftover buns in the microwave for 15 to 20 seconds, or wrap them in foil and heat in a 300ºF oven for 5 to 8 minutes.

Serving Suggestions

These Chocolate Hot Cross Buns are delicious on their own, but here are a few ways to make them even better:

With butter: Slice a warm bun in half and spread it with salted butter. The butter melts into the soft dough and makes every bite even richer.

With cream cheese: A schmear of cream cheese adds a tangy contrast to the sweet chocolate flavor.

Alongside coffee or hot chocolate: The chocolate flavor pairs beautifully with a strong cup of coffee or a mug of creamy hot chocolate.

As a dessert: Serve them warm with a scoop of vanilla ice cream or a drizzle of chocolate sauce for an indulgent treat.

Expert Tips

Check your milk temperature: If the milk is too hot, it can kill the yeast. Aim for around 110ºF, which should feel warm but not hot to the touch.

Don't skip the kneading: Kneading develops the gluten, which gives the buns their soft, fluffy texture. If using a stand mixer, mix on low speed for the full 5 minutes.

Let the dough rise in a warm spot: A warm kitchen works well, or you can place the bowl near a sunny window or on top of the fridge. If your kitchen is cold, try placing the bowl in an oven with just the light on.

Weigh the dough for even buns: Dividing the dough into 12 equal pieces (about 70g each) ensures they bake evenly and look uniform.

Pipe the crosses just before baking: The flour-water paste sets quickly in the oven, so pipe the crosses right before the buns go in.

Brush with honey while warm: The honey glaze soaks in better when the buns are still warm from the oven, creating that glossy, bakery-style finish.

FAQ

What is special about Chocolate Hot Cross Buns?

Chocolate Hot Cross Buns are a traditional Easter treat marked with a cross on top, symbolizing the crucifixion. They're soft, slightly sweet, and usually spiced with cinnamon and studded with dried fruit. This chocolate version keeps the iconic cross but swaps the spices for cocoa and adds chocolate chunks for a rich, indulgent twist.

Do you put butter on Chocolate Hot Cross Buns?

Yes, butter is delicious on chocolate hot cross buns. Slice them in half while they're still warm and spread on some salted or unsalted butter. It melts right into the soft dough and adds extra richness. Some people also like them plain or with a little cream cheese.

What's good on Chocolate Hot Cross Buns?

Butter is the classic choice, but you can also try cream cheese, Nutella, peanut butter, or even a drizzle of honey. These chocolate buns are sweet enough to eat plain, but a little butter really takes them over the top. They also pair beautifully with coffee, tea, or hot chocolate.

What is hot cross bun made of?

Traditional Chocolate Hot Cross Buns are made with a soft yeast dough enriched with milk, butter, eggs, and sugar. They're usually spiced with cinnamon, nutmeg, or allspice and filled with raisins or currants. This chocolate version uses cocoa powder in the dough and swaps the dried fruit for chocolate chunks, with a flour-water cross piped on top and a honey glaze for shine.

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