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Has anyone tried the M&S chocolate hot cross buns?

19 replies

wibblyjelly · 24/03/2013 21:35

And if so, do they taste as nice as they look? Smile

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snoworneahva · 24/03/2013 21:52

I tasted them in store, they are nice - the orange flavour is stands out more than the chocolate flavour. Think Terry's choc orange - if that sounds good then you'll like them...or maybe just get a Terry's choc orange!

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Curioustiger · 24/03/2013 22:10

Mm afraid to report I found them disappointing...

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ballstoit · 24/03/2013 22:13

Yes, and they are yummy Smile

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TiredyCustards · 24/03/2013 22:15

Yes, yummers!

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shoppingbagsundereyes · 25/03/2013 11:15

I wasn't keen. My kids took a bite each and refused to try another bite. I think 6 of the 9 went in the recycling bin

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wibblyjelly · 25/03/2013 11:25

So they are the marmite of the hot cross bun world! I'm doing a tea on Friday for DH's birthday for 10 people, so may just buy a couple of packets, and see how we go. Thanks all!

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Curioustiger · 25/03/2013 12:21

Not as good as the sum of their parts... Good luck for the party!

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TotallyEasterEggFlipped · 25/03/2013 12:26

What about regular hot cross buns served with chocolate spread?

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wibblyjelly · 25/03/2013 12:29

Totally, I was really interested in them as I don't like raisins or sultanas, which I know defeats the whole idea of having a hot cross bun in the first place!

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Laquila · 25/03/2013 15:53

I haven't tried the M&S ones but am making chocolate hot cross buns as we speak - I've basically put some cocoa into my usual recipe and reduced the amount of mixed peel (kept in the cinnamon), and am going to put chocolate chips in too. Then once baked, I'm going to brush to them with an orange glaze and eat them with truckloads of butter. Excited!

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JennyPiccolo · 25/03/2013 16:00

Can you share your usual recipe for hot cross buns, laquila? I fancy making some.

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Tobagostreet · 25/03/2013 16:11

Yes, I have tried them, and no, they're not as good as they look - they are even better GrinSmileGrinSmile

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Laquila · 25/03/2013 16:17

Hi JennyPiccolo - it's a bread machine one but I'm sure could be adapted to hand-baking:

1/2 tsp bread machine yeast (fast-action yeast)
250g white bread flour
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/4 tsp nutmeg
Some mixed spice (I'm very vague about the quantities of spices I put in - adjust to taste/what you have on hand!)
1 tsp sugar
25g butter
1 tbsp milk powder
1/2 tsp salt
1 egg
100ml water

Place the above ingredients in the bread machine pan in the above order. Put approx 100g mixed dried fruit in the raisin dispenser then set dough for "raisin dough" setting (this takes 2h20 on my ancient Panasonic).

Once it's out, divide dough into eight balls and place on a greased baking tray to prove. (In my insanely cold house this can take anything from 1 - 4 hours.) Make a paste with some plain flour and a bit of water, and pipe crosses over the top of the buns (I use a sandwich bag with a hole snipped in the corner for this bit). Bake in a hot oven for approx 15 - 20 mins.

Whilst still hot, brush with a glaze made from sugar and water boiled together, until it makes a syrup.

To adapt the above to a chocolate version I added approx 1.5 tbsp cocoa powder to the dough mix, and dialled back the spices a bit (left in the cinnamon). When it comes out of the machine I'm going to add the chocolate chips then before shaping into balls (as I didn't want the chips to melt in the machine whilst it's mixing).

I'm going to make the glaze using orange juice and sugar, rather than water, and then I'm going to EAT THEM ALL before my husband comes home. Enjoy!

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wibblyjelly · 25/03/2013 16:48

Laquila, that looks really interesting! I've never tried to make dough in my bread machine, but this could be a good starting point Smile

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snoworneahva · 25/03/2013 17:04

I make hot cross buns in the bread machine - dont bother with the crosses though, they look pretty but don't add to the flavour. The taste of freshly made hot cross buns with a lump of butter is a real joy. Love the orange glaze idea!

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Laquila · 25/03/2013 17:09

Thanks wibbly - to be honest, I was surprised these came out as well as they did the first time I made them! I use the machine for pizza dough too, and use that same pizza dough setting for these rolls, which are great:

joannasfood.blogspot.co.uk/2008/11/six-seed-rolls.html

I agree, snow, that the crosses don't add much taste-wise but I find piping them really satisfying! The orange glaze I often use for hot cross buns too, sometimes with a cardamom pod steeping in it first - mmmmmm.

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TotallyEasterEggFlipped · 25/03/2013 19:11

White chocolate, melted and piped as crosses on the cooked buns might work well Grin

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ouryve · 25/03/2013 19:23

I've poked them in the shop and thought they seemed dry, so didn't buy any. The golden ones are lush, though.

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Laquila · 25/03/2013 20:37

Just took them out of the oven. Probably going to eat all eight. (Not sure why photo's upside down...)

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