These buns are a well known childhood snack that every child grew up eating (its not only for children...adults love them too). These buns are so popular to the point were that they are sold all over Zimbabwe. Everyone enjoys them especially when they are warm and with a cold drink... preferably a cold Coca-Cola.
I have always wanted to know the recipe and to be able to bake them myself. This way i can have them as many as i want. When i finally mastered the recipe i was so excited and wanted to explore with it, so, i tried to make it my own way. This recipe will give you a guidance from making the dough to preparing the glaze for the buns. It also has a few tips... thank me later.
Ingredients
435g of plain flour
5g of salt
70g of butter
200ml of milk
60g of sugar
8g dry yeast
1 egg
For glazing
10g of sugar
2 tbsp of water
Food preparation equipment
Large bowl
Baking tray
Large jug
Wooden spoon
Pastry brush
Tablespoon
Small bowl
Fork
Method
Preheat the oven to 180°C/ 4 Gas
In a large jug put 236ml of warm milk, 10g of sugar and 10g of dry yeast. Mix it together using a tablespoon and let it set for 5 - 10 minutes or until it looks foamy. While the yeast is setting you can prepare the flour.
In a large bowl add 375g of plain flour, 5g of salt and 50g of sugar, 1 egg and melted butter. Mix well then add the yeast mixture in and mix well until it forms into a dough. You will need to knead the dough but before that, you will need to sprinkle around 1/3 cup of flour then knead the dough. This helps to avoid the dough from sticking on your hands and the surface ( you can also add 1tbsp cooking oil to prevent the dough from sticking).
Knead the dough for 10-12 minutes or until the dough is elastic and smooth. Form the dough into a ball and put it in an oiled bowl. Wrap the bowl with cling film to cover it. Let it rise for 1 hour or until it puffs up.
Now knead the dough for a minute and shape it how you want. For the buns, shape the dough into small balls and measure them to make sure they are the same size. Then put them in a greasy baking try and cover it with a cling film. Let it rise for 20 - 30mins.
Once they have risen make an egg wash. In a small bowl add one egg and 10ml of milk. Mix it using a fork. Brush the egg wash on the dough using a pastry brush. ( This is for glazing the buns. for substitute of egg wash scroll to the bottom)
Bake the buns in the oven for 20 minutes.
They are now ready to eat!!!
Substitute for egg wash
Instead of putting an egg wash to your dough before baking, you can bake your buns without brushing the dough with an egg wash. While you are baking your buns prepare the glazing by adding 10g of sugar and 2 tbsp of water in a small bowl or cup. Then mix well. Once your buns are done baking, using a pastry brush, brush the buns with the glaze that you have prepared, to make the buns shinny and look appetising.
Important tip: glaze the buns while they are still hot.
What you can make with Zim buns/ butter buns dough
Buns
Rolls
Bread
Bread twists
You can honestly have fun and be creative with the dough. Its up you what you want to make. You can even add sesame seeds on top of the glazing if you wants or add raisins inside the dough before baking. Guys enjoy with a glass of a cold drink or a hot beverage.
