Sweet Buns

Sweet Buns (first time using Tangzhong method -came out excellent )

For the Tangzhong

1.All purpose flour-2 3/4 tbsps

Milk-1/3 cup

Water-1/4 cup

In a pan whisk together all the above ingredients without lumps.Cook this on medium heat until the roux starts to thicken .Keep on stirring constantly until smooth and without lumps.Remove & Transfer the roux into another bowl & cover with a cling film sothat it touches the roux. This is to prevent to form a film like coating on the top while cooling.

For the dough

2.All purpose flour-2 1/2 cups + 1/2 cup for dusting

Milk powder-2 tbsps

Sugar-3 tbsps (if making bread reduce the sugar to 2 tbsps)

Salt-1/2 tsp

Instant yeast-2 tsp

In a bowl mix together the above ingredients.

3. Milk-3/4 cup

Butter-2 tbsps

Olive/ refined oil-2 tbsps for greasing the dough & pan.

In another bowl mix the cooled Tangzhong ,butter melted and milk together.Add the flour mixture to this & mix well.Knead the dough by adding extra flour if needed little by little. The dough should be soft and little bit sticky.Knead well until smooth & elastic (10 minutes).

To check whether the dough needs more kneading u can do the window pane testing which is as follows.Take a small ball from the dough & stretch it.If you can stretch it without breaking and see the light passing through it once placed against the windows.

Now place the dough in a well oiled bowl and rotate the bowl sothat oil is coated on the dough.Cover & Set this aside to rise .(around 1-2 hours)

4.Candied fruits-1/3 cup

or

Raisins-1/4 cup

Once the dough has doubled gently knead & add the candied fruits or raisins .

If you are making buns,roll it with your palms into medium balls and place in an oiled baking tray 1" apart.Cover with a cling film and set aside for the second rise (around 1/2-1 hour).

If you are making a loaf,roll the dough into a rectangle using a rolling pin.Roll it into a log shape & place the dough in a greased loaf tin for second rise.

Preheat the oven at 180 C .Once the buns have risen,apply an egg wash or milk for the golden color .Bake until the top is golden and when you tap on the top of the bun you hear a hollow sound. @ Dubai, United Arab Emirates