Saturday, February 16, 2019

Happy Eleventh Anniversary: Chelsea Buns




After several months of bread-baking debacles, I finally had success with this month’s challenge, Chelsea Buns, the selection by Tanna (My Kitchen in Half Cups), Kitchen of the Month.  I ended up making the buns twice, because the first time around, I forgot the sugar in the filling.  The buns were still good, but not overly sweet.  When I made them the second time around, I decided to improve upon the recipe, and the results were even better.


For the dough, I used my bread machine (R2D2) to save wear and tear on my hands.  


Round one:  after I rolled out the dough, I spread softened butter on top and sprinkled it with mixed spice and currants.   



Then, I rolled up the dough, sliced it into individual rolls (using dental floss), then placed the buns in the pans for the final rise.  One batch was in my heart-shaped pan, the other in a square pan.   



Once the buns were out of the oven and still warm, I used a milk glaze to cover them.  After the taste test, I kept thinking something was missing, so I replayed the construction over and over in my mind until I had my aha! moment.  Forgot the sugar for the filling.  Also, the currants kept falling out.


Obviously, I had to make them again.


Round two:  I finely chopped some dried cranberries and currants, and added them, along with some orange zest, to the dough itself.  This time, when I rolled out the dough, I remembered the sugar.  I spread it, once again, with softened butter, then, sprinkled it with mixed spice and a little brown sugar.  


I also changed up the glaze, using some powdered sugar and orange juice.  This batch was super delicious.



To be fair, I researched Chelsea Buns, and ended up combining several recipes.  There’s a basic dough, a mixture of fruits, and the addicting spice mix.  Definitely worth making again and again.



Basic dough

1 cup milk
1 large egg
4 tablespoons butter (or margarine)
3 1/3 cups bread flour
3 tablespoons sugar
1/2 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoons active dry yeast

Follow the directions for your bread machine, using a manual setting; or, mix by hand/mixer.
Bake rolls at 375˚F for 20-25 minutes.  Glaze will still warm.


Mixed Spice

1 tablespoon allspice
1 tablespoon cinnamon
1 tablespoon nutmeg
2 teaspoons mace
1 teaspoon cloves
1 teaspoon coriander
1 teaspoon ginger


If you decide to make these yummy Chelsea Buns and help celebrate our eleventh (11th) anniversary, and I hope you do, send your story and photos to Tanna by February 28.


Visit the other Babes to see how they adapted the buns to their own tastes.