I have always been a coffee lover. The aroma of freshly brewed coffee fills the air and instantly puts a smile on my face. But what if I told you that there’s a way to combine my love for both coffee and bread? Yes, you heard it right! I am talking about coffee buns. These delectable treats are the perfect combination of a fluffy bun and a rich coffee filling. So, if you’re a coffee enthusiast like me, keep reading because I am going to share with you a delicious recipe for making the perfect coffee buns.
Gather Your Ingredients
Before we dive into the step-by-step process, let’s talk about the ingredients you will need to make these scrumptious coffee buns. Here’s a list of what you’ll need:
For the bun dough:
– 2 and a half cups of all-purpose flour
– 1/4 cup of granulated sugar
– 1/2 teaspoon of salt
– 2 and a half teaspoons of active dry yeast
– 1/2 cup of milk
– 1/4 cup of unsalted butter, melted
– 1 large egg
– 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract
For the coffee filling:
– 1/2 cup of strong brewed coffee
– 1/4 cup of granulated sugar
– 1 tablespoon of unsalted butter
– 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour
Preparing the Dough
Now that you have all the ingredients ready, it’s time to start making the coffee buns. First, we need to prepare the dough. Follow the steps below:
1. In a large bowl, whisk together the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, salt, and active dry yeast.
2. In a separate microwave-safe bowl, heat the milk until warm, not boiling. Add the melted butter, egg, and vanilla extract to the warm milk and whisk until well combined.
3. Make a well in the center of the dry ingredients and pour in the milk mixture. Mix everything together until a soft dough forms.
4. Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead it for about 5-6 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. If the dough feels too sticky, you can add a bit more flour.
5. Place the kneaded dough into a greased bowl and cover it with a clean kitchen towel. Let it rise in a warm place for about 1-2 hours or until it doubles in size.
Preparing the Coffee Filling
While the dough is rising, let’s prepare the coffee filling that will give our buns that irresistible coffee flavor. Here’s how:
1. In a small saucepan, combine the strong brewed coffee, granulated sugar, butter, and all-purpose flour. Whisk everything together until the sugar has dissolved.
2. Cook the mixture over low heat, stirring constantly until it thickens. This should take about 5-7 minutes.
3. Once the filling has thickened, remove it from heat and let it cool completely.
Shaping and Baking the Buns
Now that both the dough and coffee filling are ready, let’s move on to shaping and baking the buns:
1. Punch down the risen dough to release the air. Transfer it to a lightly floured surface and divide it into 12 equal-sized pieces.
2. Take one piece of dough and flatten it with your hands or a rolling pin into a small circle. Place a spoonful of the cooled coffee filling in the center.
3. Gather the edges of the dough together to seal the filling inside. Pinch the seams tightly to ensure the filling doesn’t leak out during baking.
4. Place the filled bun seam-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Repeat this process with the remaining dough pieces and coffee filling.
5. Once all the buns are shaped and placed on the baking sheet, cover them with a kitchen towel and let them rise for another 30 minutes.
6. Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) while the buns are rising. Once they have doubled in size, brush the tops of the buns with an egg wash (1 egg beaten with a tablespoon of water).
7. Bake the coffee buns in the preheated oven for about 15-20 minutes or until they turn golden brown and sound hollow when tapped.
8. Remove the buns from the oven and transfer them to a wire rack to cool completely.
Enjoying Your Coffee Buns
Congratulations, you have successfully made the perfect coffee buns! Now it’s time to enjoy the fruits of your labor. These buns are best served warm, so grab a cup of coffee and take a bite into the fluffy bun with a burst of rich coffee flavor. You can also serve them with a dollop of whipped cream or drizzle some chocolate sauce on top for an extra indulgence.
Whether you’re having these coffee buns for breakfast, as an afternoon snack, or even for dessert, they are sure to satisfy your coffee cravings. So, grab your apron and get baking because the world of coffee buns awaits you!