Butter Bun/ Cream Bun- Kerala Bakery Style

There is always a nostalgic feeling when it comes to cozy old fashioned bakeries. They appeal to all ages and the goodies and confectioneries they offer are a die for! The cottage-style bakery near my home in India always invokes fond memories, especially those irresistible treats that adore the glass shelves. They are intriguing and capture your imagination as a child. Do you feel the same about your favorite bakery?

Today's recipe is a delicious bakery snack. It brings back fond memories of childhood favorite snacks. Over the years I have tried several sweets and desserts and oftentimes overlooked this simple snack for fancier ones. But during my trip to India last year, we stopped by at the old bakery. Freshly made butter buns behind the glass shelf's looked so tempting and it rekindled my childhood love for butter bun. I could not stop munching. Now I have one more reason to try it at home. My kiddo is now a fan of this simple snack.

Butter bun or cream bun as name suggest is cream or butter filled buns. The best part is the sweet vanilla flavored buttercream in the center and the slightly chewy, crispy buns when they are freshly made. The buns are made like regular milk buns gently laced with the flavor of nutmeg and clove- Yes! you heard me right- the secret ingredients :) These buns are not baked but fried and it tastes almost like the doughnuts. It is mildly sweet with milky flavor and they taste delicious. This old fashioned sweet is undeniably good. You can dress this up as a sticky bun, add glaze, or dust with confectionery sugar or coconut. Home-made is easier than you think, the dough will poof and will be ready in one hour for frying and tastes just like the ones in your favorite bakery. Give this recipe a try. You will be coming back for more. This forgotten bakery treat is a classic!

The fried bread is soft and sweet and is flavored with nutmeg. Milk makes it more flavorful and gives you a tender dough. Milk powder is optional, but adding milk powder also helps enhance the flavor. Use active dry yeast or instant yeast. You can knead the dough by hand or with a mixer. Knead the dough for two to three minutes and let it rise in room temperature. This dough is also freezer friendly. Shape into small balls. On the day you wish to serve them, let the dough thaw and rest at room temperature for about 4-5 hours. Fry as directed.

Jam buns - to make jam buns you can spread your favorite jam on one side and buttercream on the other half or just jam if you prefer it that way. Pineapple jam or strawberry jam tastes delicious with buttercream.

Coconut cream buns - Once the buns are made brush the top with sugar syrup and roll the buns in desiccated coconut.

Cream buns dusted with cinnamon sugar- Mix 3 tbs of sugar with 1/2 tsp cinnamon and a pinch of nutmeg. Once fried immediately roll in cinnamon sugar.

Recipe to make Butter Bun/Cream Bun

Cooking time- 1 hour- 20 minutes
Recipe type-snack
Cuisine- South Indian

Ingredients
All purpose flour/ maida- 2 1/2 cup
Butter- 2 tbs

Yeast- 1 tsp
Salt- 1/2 tsp
Milk powder- 2 tbs
Sugar- 1/4 cup
Egg yolk- 1
milk- 1/2 cup
Nutmeg- a pinch

To make butter cream
Butter- 1 stick
Icing sugar- 3/4 cup
Heavy cream- 2 tbs
Vanilla essence- 1/2 tsp

To make the buttercream- Whisk room temperature butter till creamy. Add icing sugar, vanilla essence, heavy cream, and whisk till well blended and creamy. Refrigerate and use it as needed.

To make the dough

Mix milk, sugar, and yeast until it is blended. Using a stand mixer combine yeast mixture, egg yolk, salt, nutmeg, and flour and mix until a sticky dough begins to form. Mix in butter and using a dough hook, knead the dough for 10 minutes on low speed. The dough at this stage will leave the sides of the bowl. Knead till the dough shiny and smooth. Grease the bowl with oil and also brush the dough with oil. Cover with plastic and allow to rise in a warm place until double in size.

Sprinkle a cutting board or counter with little flour and put the dough on the flour. Gently punch down the air and slightly flatten it. Divide the dough into eight small balls. Shape into small round balls and tuck the bottom of each ball. Gently flatten the balls with your palm and place on a baking sheet. Repeat the same with the rest of the dough. Brush the top with milk and let it sit in a warm place for twenty minutes while you prepare the oil.

Heat 2 cups of oil in a heavy bottom pan. If you are using a thermometer the oil temperature should reach 350 degrees f. Reduce the heat to low medium and add the dough balls. Fry in batches. Fry both sides for 3-4 minutes, until it is golden brown on both sides. Drain into paper towels and allow it to cool down completely. Cut open each bun, not all the way through, but about 3/4 and spoon in the chilled buttercream. Serve with tea. You can store any leftover in the refrigerator. Enjoy!