Dessert Recipe

🥐 Fluffy Custard-Filled Braid Buns

Soft, lightly sweet yeast buns filled with smooth vanilla custard and finished with a light dusting of powdered sugar.

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📝 Ingredients

For the Dough

• 180 ml lukewarm milk

• 1 egg (room temperature)

• 3 tablespoons sugar

• 1 teaspoon instant dry yeast

• ½ teaspoon salt

• 40 g (2 tablespoons) unsalted butter, melted and cooled

• 400 g all-purpose flour (about 2½ cups)

For the Custard Filling

• 250 ml milk

• 1 egg yolk

• 2 tablespoons sugar

• 1 tablespoon cornstarch

• ½ teaspoon vanilla extract

For Brushing & Finishing

• 1 egg yolk

• 1 teaspoon milk

• Powdered sugar (for dusting)

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👩‍🍳 Instructions

1️⃣ Prepare the Dough

1. In a large bowl, mix:

   • Lukewarm milk

   • Sugar

   • Yeast

2. Let sit for 5 minutes until slightly foamy.

3. Add:

   • Egg

   • Melted butter

4. Mix well.

5. Gradually add flour and salt and mix until a dough forms.

6. Knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.

7. Place dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.

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2️⃣ Make the Custard Filling

1. In a saucepan, whisk together:

   • Egg yolk

   • Sugar

   • Cornstarch

2. Slowly add milk while whisking.

3. Cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thick and smooth.

4. Remove from heat and stir in vanilla.

5. Cover the custard with plastic wrap touching the surface and allow to cool completely.

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3️⃣ Shape the Buns

1. Gently deflate the risen dough.

2. Divide into 8–10 equal pieces.

3. Roll each piece into a rope about 25–30 cm (10–12 inches) long.

4. Fold rope in half and twist the strands together.

5. Join the ends to form a braided loop or figure-eight shape.

6. Place on parchment-lined baking tray.

7. Cover and let rise for 20 minutes.

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4️⃣ Fill and Bake

1. Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).

2. Mix egg yolk with milk.

3. Brush dough lightly with egg wash.

4. Transfer cooled custard to a piping bag.

5. Pipe custard into the open centers or loops of each braid.

6. Bake for 20–25 minutes until golden brown.

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5️⃣ Finish

1. Cool slightly.

2. Dust edges lightly with powdered sugar (avoid custard centers).

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🧁 Tips

✔️ Custard must be fully cooled before piping
✔️ Do not overfill
✔️ Keep buns covered while resting
✔️ Best eaten fresh
✔️ Store in airtight container up to 2 days

Walnut Cinnamon Sweet Buns

Soft, fluffy buns filled with buttery cinnamon sugar and crunchy walnuts, twisted into beautiful knots and baked until golden.

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📝 Ingredients

For the Dough

• 200 ml lukewarm milk

• 100 ml lukewarm water

• 5 tbsp (60 g) sugar

• 1 packet (7 g) instant dry yeast

• ½ cup (115 g) unsalted butter, melted and cooled

• 1 large egg (room temperature)

• 550–600 g all-purpose flour (about 4½ cups)

• ½ tsp salt

For the Filling

• 1½ cups walnuts, finely chopped

• ½ cup brown sugar (or white sugar)

• 1 tbsp ground cinnamon

• 4 tbsp butter, softened

For Brushing

• 1 egg yolk

• 1 tbsp milk

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👩‍🍳 Instructions

1️⃣ Prepare the Dough

1. In a large bowl, combine:

   • Lukewarm milk

   • Lukewarm water

   • Sugar

   • Yeast

2. Mix gently and let stand for 5–10 minutes until foamy.

3. Add:

   • Melted butter

   • Egg
     Whisk until well combined.

4. Gradually add flour and salt. Mix until a soft dough forms.

5. Knead for 8–10 minutes until:

   • Smooth

   • Elastic

   • Slightly tacky but not sticky

6. Place dough in a lightly greased bowl. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1 to 1½ hours, or until doubled in size.

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2️⃣ Prepare the Filling

In a bowl, mix:

• Walnuts

• Sugar

• Cinnamon

Set aside.

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3️⃣ Shape the Buns

1. Punch down the dough.

2. Roll into a large rectangle about ¼ inch thick.

3. Spread softened butter evenly over the dough.

4. Sprinkle the walnut-cinnamon mixture evenly over the surface.

5. Fold dough into thirds (like a letter).

6. Cut into strips about 1–2 inches wide.

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4️⃣ Twist and Form

1. Stretch each strip slightly.

2. Twist several times.

3. Roll into a spiral or knot.

4. Tuck ends underneath.

Place on parchment-lined baking tray.

Cover and rest for 30 minutes.

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5️⃣ Bake

1. Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F).

2. Brush buns with egg yolk and milk mixture.

3. Bake for 20–25 minutes until golden brown.

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✨ Optional Sugar Syrup Finish (for shine & softness)

Heat together:

• ¼ cup sugar

• ¼ cup water

Simmer 2–3 minutes until clear.
Brush over hot buns after baking.