Step 1

In a small bowl combine the warm milk, egg and 1 Tbsp of the sugar. Whisk until well combined.

Step 2

Add the yeast and mix again. Leave to sit for about 10-15 minutes until frothy and bubbly.

Step 3

In the bowl of your stand mixer or a large bowl if you are making the buns by hand add the flour, cocoa powder, remainder of the sugar and salt

Step 4

Pour the bubbly yeast mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients. Mix on low speed for a few minutes until a dough forms.

Step 5

Add the butter, make sure it’s room temperature or it wont mix into the dough properly, and mix again for 5-10 minutes until you have a soft smooth dough. If you are doing this by hand use a wooden spoon to form a dough then knead the butter into the dough on a clean work surface.

Step 6

Add the chocolate to the dough a knead again so the chocolate is evenly mixed through.

Step 7

Shape the dough into a ball and add to an oiled bowl. Cover and leave to rise for about 2 hours until doubled in volume or in fridge overnight.

Step 8

Divide the dough into eight, this is easiest done by weighing all the dough and dividing it by eight.

Step 9

Shape each piece of dough into a ball by pinching the bottom and rolling it on your work surface.

Step 10

Place the balls of dough into a greased rectangle baking dish, cover and leave to rise for an hour or until doubled in size.

Step 11

Preheat your oven to 180C / 350F.

Step 12

Pipe crosses onto the chocolate dough balls by going in one continuous line to the next.

Step 13

Bake in the oven for about 30 minutes.

Step 14

Remove the baked hot cross buns from the oven and while they are still warm use a pastry brush to cover each chocolate bun with the sugar syrup.

Step 15

Mix the chocolate cross ingredients together in a small bowl until smooth.

Step 16

Add to a piping bag and cut off the end to create a small piping tip.

Step 17

While the hot cross buns are baking make the sugar syrup glaze.

Step 18

In a small saucepan add the sugar and water. Heat over medium heat until all of the sugar has dissolved.