English Delight Bath Buns

Ingredients

• 500g (4 cups) all-purpose flour 500g (4 cups) all-purpose flour
• 7g (2 ¼ tsp) instant yeast 7g (2 ¼ tsp) instant yeast
• 50g (¼ cup) granulated sugar 50g (¼ cup) granulated sugar
• 1 tsp salt 1 tsp salt
• 250ml (1 cup) warm milk 250ml (1 cup) warm milk
• 50g (¼ cup) unsalted butter, melted 50g (¼ cup) unsalted butter, melted
• 2 large eggs 2 large eggs
• Zest of 1 lemon Zest of 1 lemon
• 100g (¾ cup) currants 100g (¾ cup) currants
• 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash) 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
• 2 tbsp granulated sugar (for sprinkling) 2 tbsp granulated sugar (for sprinkling)

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 250 kcal / 1046 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 7g, 4g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 41g, 12g
• Protein: 6g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 0.6g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, yeast, sugar, and salt.
2. 2.
   In a separate bowl, whisk together the warm milk, melted butter, eggs, and lemon zest.
3. 3.
   Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until a dough forms.
4. 4.
   Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes, until smooth and elastic.
5. 5.
   Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
6. 6.
   Punch down the dough and knead in the currants until evenly distributed.
7. 7.
   Divide the dough into 12 equal portions and shape each portion into a round bun.
8. 8.
   Place the buns on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, cover with a kitchen towel, and let them rise for another 30 minutes.
9. 9.
   Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
10. 10.
    Brush the buns with beaten egg and sprinkle with granulated sugar.
11. 11.
    Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until the buns are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
12. 12.
    Remove from the oven and let the buns cool on a wire rack before serving.

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Currants — Make sure to rinse the currants before adding them to the dough to remove any excess dirt or debris.

Tips & Tricks

• For a richer flavor, you can add a pinch of ground nutmeg or cinnamon to the dough.
• If you prefer a sweeter bun, you can sprinkle some powdered sugar on top before serving.
• These buns are best enjoyed fresh on the day they are baked, but you can store them in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

Serving advice

Serve the English Delight Bath Buns warm or at room temperature. They are delicious on their own, but you can also spread them with butter or clotted cream for an extra indulgence.

Presentation advice

Arrange the freshly baked buns on a serving platter or a rustic wooden board. Dust them with a light sprinkle of powdered sugar for an elegant touch. Serve them alongside a pot of hot tea or coffee for a truly British experience.