A Delightful Coffee-Scented Afternoon: The Making of Papparoti Buns
Coffee Buns (Papparoti Buns)
Ingredients
Instructions
- In the bowl of a stand mixer, whisk together the bread flour, sugar, salt, and instant yeast.
- A dd milk and the beaten egg. Knead the mixture at low speed for 5 minutes, then increase to medium speed and knead for an additional 10 minutes, or until the dough becomes lumpy.
- Incorporate the softened butter and knead at medium-high speed for 10-15 minutes until the dough is smooth.
- Remove the dough from the bowl, knead by hand for 2-3 minutes, and shape it into a ball. Place it in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let it rest for about 1 hour, or until it doubles in size.
- After resting, gently knead the dough to release any air bubbles. Shape it into a ball and divide it into 6 equal pieces.
- Shape each piece into a smooth ball and place them on a lined baking pan. Cover and let them rest for 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
- While the dough is proofing, prepare the coffee topping. Dissolve the instant espresso powder in hot water.
- In a mixing bowl, combine the dissolved espresso, the beaten egg, icing sugar, and all-purpose flour. Mix until well combined.
- Add the softened butter and mix until smooth. Transfer the mixture to a piping bag.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F
- Once the dough has risen, pipe the coffee topping over the top of each bun, covering about two-thirds of the surface.
- Bake for 18-20 minutes, or until golden brown.
- Allow the coffee buns to cool slightly before serving. Enjoy your freshly baked coffee buns with a cup of coffee or tea!
The kitchen filled with the enticing scent of fresh coffee as the dough for the coffee buns began to rise. Soft and delicate, the dough had absorbed the rich creaminess of milk and butter, while a hint of sweetness from sugar balanced out the savoury base. With each passing moment, the anticipation of soft, golden-brown buns grew stronger. The baker couldn't help but envision how the crispy coffee topping would elevate these simple buns into something extraordinary.
Mixing the coffee topping was the next step, and it brought a wave of nostalgia. The sharp aroma of espresso mingled with the softened butter, icing sugar, and flour, creating a creamy mixture that held the promise of a crispy, flavourful coating. As the topping came together, the kitchen felt alive with the promise of coffee buns fresh from the oven—a treat that anyone with a love for coffee and baked goods would adore.
Carefully, the baker piped the coffee topping onto the buns, covering them two-thirds of the way. The contrast of the soft, rising dough with the thick, velvety coffee topping was visually satisfying. Once piped, the buns looked ready for their transformation in the oven, and the excitement of their final golden, crisp form was palpable.
As the buns baked, the kitchen became a haven of comfort. The smell of espresso deepened, mixing with the buttery aroma of the dough as it rose to a golden perfection. There was something deeply satisfying about the process—a sense of calm that only comes with baking, where patience and skill combine to create something special. The baker couldn’t wait to share these coffee buns, knowing they’d be irresistible with their crisp topping and soft centre.
The timer chimed, and it was time to unveil the final product. The buns were perfectly golden, their coffee topping crisp and cracked in all the right places. Gently removing them from the oven, the baker admired how the espresso-scented shell contrasted beautifully with the tender dough beneath. These were not just any buns; they were Papparoti buns, perfect for enjoying with a cup of coffee on a relaxed afternoon.
After allowing them to cool just enough to handle, the baker pulled apart the first bun. Steam escaped, carrying with it the intoxicating aroma of freshly baked bread mixed with rich coffee. The texture was just as promised—soft and pillowy on the inside, with a crunchy, caramelized coffee shell. One bite was all it took to confirm that these coffee buns were everything they were meant to be: light, fluffy, and irresistibly flavourful.
Each bite was a balance of textures—the softness of the dough melting into the crispness of the coffee topping. The espresso flavour was present but subtle, letting the buttery richness of the bun shine through. It was the perfect treat for any coffee lover, especially when paired with a warm cup of coffee or tea.
As the baker sat down to enjoy the fruits of their labour, there was a sense of fulfilment. The recipe had been easy to follow, and the results were nothing short of bakery-quality. The Papparoti buns were a hit, offering a little bit of indulgence and a whole lot of comfort.
These coffee buns would quickly become a household favourite, their unique combination of soft bread and crunchy topping making them an ideal snack or breakfast treat. And with each batch, the process of baking them would become even more enjoyable, with the familiar scent of coffee filling the home and the promise of a delicious result always waiting at the end.
