Ingredients: 5 1/2 cups all-purpose flour, sifted, you will need extra flour for kneading and such,2 1/4 tsp (1 envelope) instant dry yeast,1/2 tsp salt,5 tbsp white sugar,2 cups milk, lukewarm,3 eggs,1 tsp vanilla extract,1/2 cup vegetable oil,lemon zest from one lemon,1 cup raspberry jam, 1 teaspoon per each bun,about 1/4 cup butter (for brushing between buns and baking pan),1 egg + 1 tablespoon water for egg wash
Instructions:
- In a large bowl combine all your dry ingredients. These include your flour, salt, yeast, and sugar.
- In the same bowl we’ll toss in eggs, lemon zest, oil, vanilla, and milk. It’s vital that your milk be lukewarm (105 F – 115 F). I microwaved mine in a pyrex measuring cup for 1:30 on high.
- Mix it all up with a wooden spoon until it becomes a ball and the dough tries to pull away from the sides.
- Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead for about 5 minutes or until the dough is smooth and elastic.
- Sprinkle the dough with flour and put it in a clean bowl to rise. It’ll take about an hour to double in size.
- When your dough has doubled, punch the air out and put it on a very lightly dusted countertop.
- You want to roll it out enough to divide the dough into 30 pieces.
- Take a piece of dough and roll it out so it’s 1/4 cm thick. Then put a teaspoon of jam in the center.
- Then you want to fold the dough in half encompassing the jam in the center.
- Pinch the edges.
- Finally take the two ends and fold them together. This will create that signature swirled interior.
- Brush the bottom of the pan with butter, and if you want the sides as well.
- Place the seam side down and the smooth top facing up.
- I could only fit 24 in my 9 by 13 inch pan. If you can find a way to fit all 30, whether that be using a larger pan or stuffing them in more aggressively, that would be even better.
- Brush the tops with a little egg wash, just an egg with a tablespoon of water.
- Bake for 25 minutes until they’re golden.
- Buns are meant to be eaten hot, straight from the oven while they’re fluffy and steamy.
- Serve with a dusting of powdered sugar. Or slice in half and toast with butter. And as always, Chow!
