How to make belgian buns
Belgian Buns are a delicious pastry that originated in Belgium. They are known for their sweet, sticky glaze and soft, doughy texture. Making your own Belgian buns at home is easier than you might think. With a few basic ingredients and a little bit of time, you can create these mouthwatering treats to enjoy with your family and friends.
Making Belgian buns starts with a yeast-based dough. The yeast helps the dough rise and gives the buns their fluffy texture. To make the dough, you will need flour, sugar, salt, yeast, egg, and butter. You’ll need to mix these ingredients together until a soft dough forms. Knead the dough for a few minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
Once the dough is ready, let it rise in a warm place for about an hour. During this time, the yeast will work its magic and the dough will double in size. After the dough has risen, punch it down to remove any air bubbles. Roll the dough out into a rectangle shape and cover it with a generous layer of softened butter, sugar, and cinnamon.
Roll up the dough tightly, starting from the long edge, and cut it into equal-sized pieces. Place the buns on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, leaving enough space between them for expansion. Cover the tray with a clean cloth and let the buns rise for another 30 minutes. This second rise is important for creating light and airy buns.
Step-by-Step Guide: How to Make Delicious Belgian Buns
Belgian buns are a sweet and sticky pastry that originates from Belgium. These buns are filled with currants or raisins, and topped with a glaze and a cherry on top. If you’re ready to embark on a baking adventure, follow this step-by-step guide to make delicious Belgian buns from scratch.
Ingredients:
- 500g strong white bread flour
- 50g caster sugar
- 60g unsalted butter
- 2 tsp instant yeast
- 1 tsp salt
- 275ml warm milk
- 1 egg, beaten
- 75g currants or raisins
- 50g light brown sugar
- 2 tsp ground cinnamon
- 50g icing sugar
- 2-3 tbsp water
- 12 glace cherries
Instructions:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the bread flour, caster sugar, yeast, and salt. Rub in the butter until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs.
- Add the warm milk and beaten egg to the breadcrumb mixture. Mix until a dough forms.
- Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 10 minutes or until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
- Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F) and line a baking tray with parchment paper.
- Punch down the dough to release any air bubbles. Roll it out onto a lightly floured surface to form a rectangle approximately 30cm x 40cm.
- Sprinkle the currants or raisins evenly over the dough. Then sprinkle the light brown sugar and ground cinnamon on top.
- Roll up the dough tightly from the long side, making sure to seal the edges. Cut the rolled dough into 12 equal pieces.
- Transfer the buns onto the prepared baking tray, leaving some space between each bun to allow for rising. Cover them with a clean kitchen towel and let them rise again for about 30 minutes.
- Bake the buns in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
- While the buns are baking, prepare the glaze. In a small bowl, mix the icing sugar with enough water to make a thick glaze.
- Once the buns are out of the oven, let them cool for a few minutes. Then, drizzle the glaze over the buns and place a glace cherry on top of each bun.
- Enjoy your homemade delicious Belgian buns!
Bake and Enjoy!
Now that your belgian buns are ready, it’s time to bake them and enjoy the delightful results. Follow these last few steps to complete the process:
Step 1: Preheat the oven
Before you put the buns in the oven, it’s important to preheat it. Set your oven to 180°C (350°F) and let it reach the desired temperature. This ensures that your belgian buns will bake evenly and have a golden brown crust.
Step 2: Place the buns on a baking tray
Arrange your prepared belgian buns on a baking tray lined with parchment paper. Make sure to leave enough space between each bun to allow them to expand while baking.
Step 3: Bake for the recommended time
Place the baking tray with the belgian buns in the preheated oven. Bake them for approximately 15-20 minutes or until they are golden brown and fully cooked.
Step 4: Let them cool
Once the baking time is up, carefully remove the buns from the oven and place them on a wire rack to cool. This will prevent the bottoms from getting soggy and help them maintain their texture.
Step 5: Enjoy your homemade belgian buns!
Once the buns have cooled down, it’s time to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Serve them warm or at room temperature, and savor the delicious combination of sweet dough, juicy currants, and luscious icing.
Now that you know how to make belgian buns, you can confidently whip up a batch for breakfast, brunch, or a delightful afternoon tea. Get creative by adding different fillings or toppings to customize your buns to your liking. Bake and enjoy to your heart’s content!