You will need:

  • 410g bread flour (sifted), plus extra for dusting

  • 20g cocoa powder (we used Three Blue Ducks Organic Drinking Chocolate)

  • Pinch of all spice, ginger, cinnamon and salt

  • 210ml milk

  • 1 egg

  • 7g yeast

  • 100g raisins

  • 80g dried figs, chopped

  • 60g small chocolate buttons (or chopped chocolate)

  • 40g butter, melted

  • 40g brown sugar

  • Zest of 1 orange

How to cook:


Sift the flour into a bowl. Warm a little of the milk and use it to activate the yeast.


Add the remaining ingredients, except the fruit, and mix by hand or in a mixer. Knead for around 8 minutes until smooth and springy to the touch.


Cover and leave to prove until doubled in size. 


Knock the dough back, then fold through the raisins, figs and chocolate. Shape into 12 buns.


Leave to prove again until risen.


Mix a little flour and milk to form a paste. Transfer to a piping bag and pipe crosses over the buns.


Bake at 200°C for around 20 minutes until cooked through.


Brush with a glaze, we used marmalade with a little honey, then leave to rest for 20 minutes before serving


Serve warm and don’t hold back on the butter!