makes
32
prep
45 minutes
cook
15 minutes
difficulty
Mid
makes
32
serves
preparation
45
minutes
cooking
15
minutes
difficulty
Mid
level
Ingredients
- 200 g unsalted butter, plus extra, to serve
- 450 ml milk
- 50 g fresh yeast (see Note), finely crumbled
- 1 egg, plus 1 extra, lightly beaten, to brush
- 165 g (¾ cup) caster sugar
- ¼ tsp saffron threads, finely chopped
- 900 g (6 cups) plain flour
- 64 (about 85 g) raisins
Proving time 1 hour and 25 minutes
Drink match Rekorderlig Orange & Ginger Cider, Sweden (500 ml, $8)
Instructions
Melt butter in a saucepan over medium heat. Add milk and heat until lukewarm.
Pour mixture into a large bowl and add yeast, stirring to dissolve. Add egg, sugar, saffron and 1 tsp salt. Gradually add flour, stirring constantly, until mixture forms a smooth dough that comes away from the side of the bowl; don’t worry if dough is sticky. Cover bowl with a clean tea towel and leave to rise in a warm, draught-free place for 45 minutes or until dough doubles in size.
Punch down dough and knead on a lightly floured work surface for 30 seconds or until smooth. Divide into 4, then divide each piece into 8. Shape each piece into a 20 cm length, then form into an S shape, tucking ends into dough to form an 8 shape, and pressing to join. Place on an oven tray lined with baking paper, cover with a tea towel and leave in a warm, draught-free place for another 40 minutes or until slightly risen.
Preheat oven to 200°C. Place a raisin into each circle created by the 8 shape, then brush with beaten egg. Bake buns for 10 minutes or until golden brown. Serve warm with butter.
Note
• Fresh yeast is available from bakeries and specialty shops.
Photography Chris Chen
Cook's Notes
Oven temperatures are for conventional; if using fan-forced (convection), reduce the temperature by 20˚C. | We use Australian tablespoons and cups: 1 teaspoon equals 5 ml; 1 tablespoon equals 20 ml; 1 cup equals 250 ml. | All herbs are fresh (unless specified) and cups are lightly packed. | All vegetables are medium size and peeled, unless specified. | All eggs are 55-60 g, unless specified.
