Croissants and sticky buns, you may have met your match! These salted mini chocolate chip challah buns are my new favorite dessert-for-breakfast carb.

Mini Chocolate Chip Challah Buns from completelydelicious.com

These little challah buns started out as something completely different in my mind. But after a huge baking failure I decided to take it down a notch, keep things simple. So what was going to be cute and Easter-y is now this—  strands of sweet challah dough studded with mini chocolate chips braided together, and topped with both sugar and salt.

Sometimes I am very, very grateful for baking failures.

Mini Chocolate Chip Challah Buns from completelydelicious.com

I took my challah bread recipe, cut it in half and added mini chocolate chips. And what was one loaf is now 8 single-serving buns perfect on their own and even better with a cup of coffee.

The mini chocolate chips are important, as full-sized chocolate chips would be too large for the small braided strands. And because they are so small, some of them melt into the warm dough while it’s kneaded, creating a fun light and dark marbled look.

I don’t know what I love about these more— the soft honey-sweetened bread, the little bursts of chocolate in every bite, the sweet and salty topping, or how cute they are.

Can I pick All of the Above?

I ate two straight off the baking sheet, that should tell you something.

Mini Chocolate Chip Challah Buns from completelydelicious.com
Mini Chocolate Chip Challah Buns from completelydelicious.com

baking tip:How to create a 4-strand braided bun

1. Divide dough into 8 equal pieces, 1 for each bun.

2. Divide each bun into 4 equal pieces.

3. Roll each piece into a 6-inch long rope.

4. Lay 2 of the ropes out in front of you and place the other 2 on top, perpendicular to the first two. Alternate over and under (similar to a pie lattice).

5. Take the 4 ropes that are “under” and pull them over the “over” ropes to their left.

6. Tuck all rope ends under, creating a round braided bun.


Mini Chocolate Chip Challah Buns from completelydelicious.com

Salted Mini Chocolate Chip Challah Buns

Servings: 8 buns
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Cook Time: 15 minutes
Rise Time: 2 hours
Total Time: 2 hours 45 minutes
Mini braided challah buns with chocolate chips and sprinkled with sugar and salt.

Ingredients
 

  • ¼ cup unsalted butter (56 grams)
  • cup honey (113 grams)
  • ½ cup water (118 ml)
  • 2 ½-3 cups bread flour (300-360 grams)
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 2 ¼ teaspoon active-dry yeast (1 package, 7 grams)
  • 2 large eggs
  • ½ cup mini chocolate chips (85 grams)
  • 1 large egg + 1 teaspoon water , for egg wash
  • Coarse sugar , for sprinkling
  • Coarse salt , for sprinkling

Instructions
 

  • In a small saucepan over low heat, heat the butter, honey and water until butter is melted. Remove from heat and let sit for 5 minutes, or until 120-130°F.
  • In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine 1 ½ cups of the flour with the salt and yeast. Add the butter mixture, mixing until combined, followed by the eggs.
  • With the mixer on medium speed, add the remaining flour ¼ cup at a time until dough is sticky, but does not come off on your hands when touched. You may not need all 3 cups of the flour.
  • Add the mini chocolate chips. Continue kneading dough on medium speed until smooth and elastic about 5-7 minutes. Put dough in a greased bowl and cover with greased plastic wrap. Let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
  • Punch down dough gently to release gases. Divide dough into 8 equal pieces, cover with the greased plastic wrap and let rest for 10 minutes. This will make it easier to roll out the dough.
  • Working with each piece at a time, divide them again into 4 equal pieces. Roll each piece into a 6-inch long rope. Lay 2 of the ropes out in front of you and place the other 2 on top, perpendicular to the first two. Alternate over and under (similar to a pie lattice). Take the 4 ropes that are "under" and pull them over the "over" ropes to their left. Tuck all rope ends under, creating a round braided bun.
  • Place the braided buns on a sheet pan lined with parchment paper. Brush with egg wash and cover with greased plastic wrap. Let rise until almost doubled again, about 1 hour. Meanwhile, preheat oven to 375°F.
  • Brush with egg wash again and sprinkle generously with the coarse sugar and salt. Bake until golden, about 15-20 minutes. Serve immediately.
  • Buns are best the day they are baked, but will keep in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Calories: 326kcal, Carbohydrates: 49g, Protein: 9g, Fat: 11g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Cholesterol: 78mg, Sodium: 181mg, Potassium: 101mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 19g, Vitamin A: 292IU, Calcium: 30mg, Iron: 1mg
Cuisine: American
Course: Snack
Author: Annalise
Have you tried this recipe?I’d love to hear about it! Leave a rating and review below, or take a photo and tag it on Instagram @completelydelicious with #completelydelicious.