These soft and fluffy buns with a gooey center are a delicious treat you won’t find in any store. They’re so easy to make at home, you’ll never buy store-bought buns again!
Ingredients:
- 200ml warm milk
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp yeast
- 300g all-purpose flour
- 1/3 tbsp salt
- 40g butter, softened
- Filling of your choice (boiled condensed milk is recommended)
- 2 liters water
- 2-3 tsp baking soda
Instructions:
- Activate the Yeast: In a bowl, combine warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let the mixture sit for a few minutes until it becomes foamy and bubbly. This activates the yeast, a crucial step for fluffy buns!
- Make the Dough: Add the flour, salt, and softened butter to the yeast mixture. Knead the dough for several minutes until you get a very soft dough that’s slightly sticky. Don’t worry if it seems wetter than usual bread dough.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for 30 minutes. The dough should double in size.
- Shape and Fill: Divide the risen dough into 12 equal pieces. Flatten each piece into a small disc. Place your desired filling in the center (boiled condensed milk creates a gooey caramel center, but you can get creative!). Wrap the dough around the filling to form a ball. Seal the seams tightly.
- Second Rise: Cover the filled dough balls with a cloth and let them rise for another 20 minutes. They will puff up slightly again.
- Par-cook in Baking Soda Water: This step is what makes these buns unique! In a large pot, bring 2 liters of water to a boil. Add the baking soda. Gently drop the dough balls into the boiling water and cook for 30 seconds each. The baking soda creates a light and airy texture in the buns.
- Bake to Golden Perfection: Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Grease a baking sheet. Carefully remove the dough balls from the water with a slotted spoon and place them on the baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Enjoy Warm! These buns are best enjoyed warm when the filling is melted and gooey. You can dust them with powdered sugar for an extra touch of sweetness.
More Information:
- You can experiment with different fillings! Try Nutella, fruit jams, or even savory fillings like cheese and herbs.
- If you don’t have baking soda, you can substitute it with an equal amount of lye water. However, be very careful when handling lye water as it can be caustic.
- Leftover buns can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Conclusion:
These homemade buns are sure to become a new favorite! They’re easy to make, customizable, and absolutely delicious. So ditch the store-bought buns and try this recipe for a truly satisfying treat.