Norwegian Coconut Custard Buns

Ingredients

• For the dough: For the dough:
• 500g (4 cups) all-purpose flour 500g (4 cups) all-purpose flour
• 100g (1/2 cup) granulated sugar 100g (1/2 cup) granulated sugar
• 7g (2 1/4 tsp) instant yeast 7g (2 1/4 tsp) instant yeast
• 240ml (1 cup) warm milk 240ml (1 cup) warm milk
• 60g (1/4 cup) unsalted butter, melted 60g (1/4 cup) unsalted butter, melted
• 1/2 tsp salt 1/2 tsp salt
• 2 large eggs 2 large eggs
• For the custard filling: For the custard filling:
• 500ml (2 cups) whole milk 500ml (2 cups) whole milk
• 100g (1/2 cup) granulated sugar 100g (1/2 cup) granulated sugar
• 4 large egg yolks 4 large egg yolks
• 40g (1/4 cup) cornstarch 40g (1/4 cup) cornstarch
• 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 tsp vanilla extract
• For the topping: For the topping:
• 100g (1 cup) unsweetened coconut flakes, toasted 100g (1 cup) unsweetened coconut flakes, toasted

Nutrition

• Calories (kcal / KJ): 320 kcal / 1340 KJ
• Fat (total, saturated): 10g, 6g
• Carbohydrates (total, sugars): 50g, 20g
• Protein: 8g
• Fiber: 2g
• Salt: 0.4g

Preparation

1. 1.
   In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt.
2. 2.
   In a separate bowl, whisk together the warm milk, melted butter, and eggs.
3. 3.
   Pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix until a dough forms.
4. 4.
   Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 5 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 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
6. 6.
   Meanwhile, prepare the custard filling. In a saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until steaming.
7. 7.
   In a separate bowl, whisk together the sugar, egg yolks, and cornstarch until well combined.
8. 8.
   Slowly pour the hot milk into the egg mixture, whisking constantly.
9. 9.
   Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened.
10. 10.
    Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Let the custard cool completely.
11. 11.
    Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into 12 equal pieces.
12. 12.
    Shape each piece into a ball and place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
13. 13.
    Cover the buns with a kitchen towel and let them rise for another 30 minutes.
14. 14.
    Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F).
15. 15.
    Make an indentation in the center of each bun using your thumb or the back of a spoon.
16. 16.
    Fill each indentation with a spoonful of custard.
17. 17.
    Bake the buns for 15-18 minutes, or until golden brown.
18. 18.
    Remove from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack.
19. 19.
    Once cooled, sprinkle the toasted coconut flakes over the custard-filled centers.
20. 20.
    Serve the Norwegian Coconut Custard Buns fresh and enjoy!

Treat your ingredients with care...

• Coconut flakes — Toast the coconut flakes in a dry skillet over medium heat until golden brown, stirring frequently to prevent burning.
• Cornstarch — Make sure to whisk the cornstarch with the sugar and egg yolks until smooth before adding the hot milk to avoid lumps in the custard.
• Yeast — Use instant yeast for this recipe, as it does not require proofing and can be added directly to the dry ingredients.

Tips & Tricks

• For a richer flavor, you can add a pinch of cardamom to the dough.
• If you prefer a sweeter custard, you can increase the amount of sugar in the filling.
• To ensure a light and fluffy texture, make sure not to over-knead the dough.
• If you don't have instant yeast, you can use active dry yeast by proofing it in warm milk before adding it to the dry ingredients.
• These buns are best enjoyed on the day they are made, but you can store them in an airtight container for up to 2 days.

Serving advice

Serve the Norwegian Coconut Custard Buns at room temperature or slightly warmed. They are perfect for breakfast, brunch, or as a sweet treat with a cup of coffee or tea.

Presentation advice

Arrange the Coconut Custard Buns on a serving platter, making sure to display the custard-filled centers and the toasted coconut flakes on top. Dust them with a sprinkle of powdered sugar for an extra touch of elegance.