Belgian Buns Mary Berry Recipes

BELGIAN BUNS

Steps:

• In a small pan warm the milk until it's lukewarm. Set aside.
• Sift the flour into a large bowl and add the yeast. Make a well in the middle and add the butter, sugar, milk and egg. Mix to combine.
• Using a dough hook, beat on a medium speed until you have a soft dough - about 10 minutes. (If you are not using a mixer you can knead the dough by hand for this step).
• Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead it by hand for 1 minute. Form the dough into a ball and transfer into a lightly greased bowl and cover loosely with a piece of lightly greased cling film. Leave to rise in a draught-free place until it has doubled in size (around 1 to 2 hours, or overnight in the fridge for a slow-rise).
• Generously grease a tray with butter. Set aside.
• Once your dough has doubled in size, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface and using a rolling pin, roll it into a rectangle about 10" by 14". It's important to make sure your dough is of even thickness all over to ensure you have nice neat buns.
• Spread the lemon curd from edge-to-edge of the dough and sprinkle the sultanas evenly over.
• Roll the dough tightly to create a sausage. Cut the sausage into 6 buns - I tend to cut in half, then thirds to ensure even buns. Arrange the rolls in your pre-greased tray and cover loosely with a piece of lightly greased cling film.
• Leave to rise in a draught-free place for 1-2 hours until they look light and puffy.
• After your buns have gone through their second rise, remove the cling film and place the tray in a pre-heated oven at 180°c (160°c for fan assisted ovens) and bake for around 10-15 minutes until golden brown. Transfer to a wire rack when cool enough to touch and leave to cool completely.

CHELSEA BUNS

Steps:

• Start by making the dough. Mix together the flour, yeast, caster sugar and 1 tsp sea salt in a large mixing bowl. Make a well in the centre and pour in the warm milk, beaten egg and melted butter. Mix well, first with a wooden spoon then with your hands until you get a soft dough. If it feels dry add a bit of warm water, but if it feels too sticky and wet add a spoonful of flour.
• Dust your work surface with flour and tip the mixture onto it and start kneading. Keep kneading the dough until it feels smooth and elastic. Shape into a ball and sit it in a clean bowl, lightly greased with melted butter or oil. Cover with cling film and leave to rise in a warm place for about 1 hr or until doubled in size.
• Heat oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6 and grease a deep 21 x 21cm square tin. Dust the work top with a little more flour then start to knead the risen dough on the prepared surface just to knock the air out. Shape into a 20 x 30cm rectangle. To fill the buns gently spread the softened butter over the dough and then scatter the currants and chopped sultanas over the top. Mix the mixed spice and caster sugar together in bowl then sprinkle that over the dough in an even layer.
• Roll the dough up in a tight spiral from the longest edge like a Swiss roll then slice into 9 equal sized swirled buns. Arrange them in the tin, cut side up then cover with a clean, damp tea towel and leave to prove in a warm place for around 30 mins or until doubled.
• Bake the buns for 10 mins, then reduce the temperature to 180C/160C fan/gas 4 and cook for a further 10 mins. For the glaze, stir the caster sugar together with 1 tbsp water until the sugar has dissolved then brush it all over the buns as soon as they are cooked. Leave to cool in the tin for 10 mins before serving. Can be eaten hot or cold.