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Powder buns
Powder buns: Belizean coconut milk and raisin buns
Called powder buns because baking powder, not yeast, makes them rise, these lightly sweet buns are what Belizean families in Belize City and the Cayo district bake for afternoon tea or a breakfast with coffee. They are halfway between a scone and a soft bread roll, scented with nutmeg and enriched with coconut milk, with plump raisins throughout. Overworking the dough is the mistake that makes them tough and flat; stop mixing as soon as it comes together. Chef's tip: grate the butter straight from the freezer into the flour, which gives a lighter crumb with less rubbing.
- Total time
- 40 min
- Difficulty
- easy
- Serves
- 12
Ingredients
- 14 oz plain flour
- 4 tsp baking powder
- 4 oz caster sugar
- ½ tsp salt
- 1 tsp ground nutmeg
- ½ tsp ground cinnamon
- 3 ⅛ oz cold butter
- 3 ½ oz raisins
- 1 egg
- ¾ cup coconut milk
- 1 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tbsp granulated sugarfor sprinkling
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Method
0/6 doneStep 1: Heat the oven to 375°F (350°F fan) and line a baking tray.
Step 2: Mix 14 oz plain flour, 4 tsp baking powder, 4 oz caster sugar, ½ tsp salt, 1 tsp ground nutmeg and ½ tsp ground cinnamon in a bowl. Grate in 3 ⅛ oz cold butter and rub together lightly until it looks like breadcrumbs, then stir in 3 ½ oz raisins.
5 minStep 3: Whisk 1 egg, ¾ cup coconut milk and 1 tsp vanilla extract. Pour into the dry mix and stir with a knife until it just comes together into a soft, slightly sticky dough. Don't knead.
Step 4: With floured hands, shape 12 rough balls and set them 4 cm apart on the tray. Press each down a little and sprinkle with 1 tbsp granulated sugar.
Step 5: Bake for 18–20 minutes, until risen, golden brown on top and hollow-sounding when tapped underneath.
20 minStep 6: Cool on a rack for 10 minutes. Eat warm with butter or cheese; they keep for 2 days in a tin.
Nutrition per serving
- Calories
- 250 kcal
- Protein
- 4 g
- Carbs
- 39 g
- Fat
- 9 g
- Fibre
- 1 g
Nutrition values are estimates.
KrazyBadal
Good to know
- How long does powder buns take?
- About 40 minutes in total: 20 minutes to prepare and 20 minutes to cook.
- How many people does it serve?
- 12 as written. Change the servings above the ingredients and every amount scales to match.
- Is it vegetarian?
- Yes. It has no meat or fish.
- What can I use instead of plain flour?
- Self-raising flour, same amount (then leave out the baking powder).
- What can I use instead of baking powder?
- ¼ tsp bicarbonate of soda + ½ tsp cream of tartar per 1 tsp.
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