recipe: rustic coconut buns

Makes 12

Ingredients:

Bread dough
1 cup milk, room temperature
⅔ cup cream, room temperature
1 large egg, room temperature
3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 cup cake flour
⅓ cup white sugar
1 tbsp active dry yeast
1 ½ tsp salt

Filling
6 tbsp butter, room temperature
3 tbsp white sugar
3 tbsp cake flour
¼ cup coconut milk, hardened (at top/bottom of can)
½ cup unsweetened coconut flakes

Topping
2 tbsp white sugar
2 tbsp hot water

Steps:

1. Combine all bread dough ingredients in order into a large bowl. Mix well. Transfer dough onto floured surface. Knead until smooth. Put dough into clean bowl and cover with a towel for 1 hour. Bread should rise to 1.5 times its size.

2. Prepare filling in meantime. Combine all ingredients in order and set aside until dough is ready.

3. When dough has proofed, remove from bowl and place onto floured surface. Knead for 5 minutes then cut into 12 equal pieces. Flatten each piece with the palm of your hand and spread filling evenly onto each surface. Then roll into a cigar shape, finishing by tucking the ends under.

4. Place buns onto a greased baking sheet and cover with a towel. Let rise for approximately 1 hour.

5. Preheat oven to 350°F. Prepare topping. Put buns into oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. Remove and brush with sugar topping. They are ready to eat once cool.

Emory