Hot cross banana bread

Method

1. Gently heat the milk and butter in a saucepan until the butter has melted and the liquid is warm but not hot (you should be able to hold your finger in it). Sift the flour into the bowl of a stand mixer with a dough hook attached, then add the sugar and yeast. Pour in the warmed milk and egg, then mix at a low speed until it just comes together. It will be soft but add 1-2 tbsp extra flour if the dough is very sticky.
2. Add the chocolate chips, increase the speed to medium and knead for 5 minutes until the dough is glossy. Shape into a ball, put in an oiled bowl, then cover and leave to rise for 1 1⁄2-2 hours until doubled in size.
3. Make the filling by beating all the ingredients together in a medium bowl to form a paste. Cover and set aside. Heat the oven to 140°C fan/gas 3 and line the loaf tin with baking paper.
4. Turn the risen dough out onto a lightly floured surface and roll into a large rectangle, about 30cm x 45cm. Spread the banana filling over the dough, leaving a clear 1cm border around the edge. Roll the dough up from the long side, then cut in half lengthways to create 2 thin pieces. Braid the 2 pieces, one over the other back into a single length, then gently pinch the ends together and fold into the prepared tin. Cover and leave to rise for 30 minutes or until it reaches the top of the tin.
5. Lightly brush the top of the dough with the beaten egg yolk and milk mixture, then bake for 50 minutes until risen and golden. Leave the loaf to cool for 10 minutes in the tin, then put on a wire rack to cool.