Bun

           One day, I really wanted to make the bakery buns which we get from bakeries of Kerala. I searched the internet and came across many recipe's. After going through many of them finally I created one of my own . Though the taste was good , the texture was not as very soft as we get in our bakeries. I didn't give up....The experiment continued  and made another batch after few days. But  this time the texture was soft on the first day but  a bit dry on the following day. Again continued with many recipes and finally after so many trial and errors ,finally arrived with a recipe of soft and fluffy sweet buns. I have included the tips and tricks to take care in the notes. The aroma of baking bun is so tempting........When you are baking them the whole house will be filled with  the such a nice aroma that whoever comes to your house that day will be asking what have you made today....😊

Ingredients

• All purpose flour - 3.5 cup
• Butter (melted) - 4 tbsp
• Milk - 1 cup
• Egg - 1 (optional)
• Sugar - 2 tsp + 4 tbsp
• Salt - 1 1/2 tsp
• Yeast  - 2 tsp
• Water (lukewarm) - 1/4 cup

Method

1. Heat milk to lukewarm (about 15 sec in microwave) . 
2. Add yeast and 2 tsp sugar and keep undisturbed for 10 mins till  it becomes frothy.
3. Meanwhile add salt and 4 tbsp sugar to all purpose flour and mix well.
4. Add melted butter and beaten egg to milk yeast mixture.
5. Make a well in the flour and add the milk egg butter mixture and knead well to make a soft dough. You can add warm water if  needed.
6. Apply butter on top . Cover it  with a warm  moist towel and keep undisturbed in a warm place for about 1 hr( 1 - 1:30 hrs) till the dough doubles in size. 
7. Then  punch down and knead again and  keep  the dough rested  for 10 mins.
8.  Make small  smooth balls and place them in a greased and dusted baking tray and cover with moist towel .
9. Allow for second proofing for 30 to 40 mins. 
10. Meanwhile pre-heat oven to 450 F 
11. Apply egg wash over the balls and bake for 8 to 10 mins till the bun becomes brown. 
12. Immediately after taking from oven apply butter on top and allow to cool down.

Notes

1. Discard the milk yeast mixture if it does not become frothy .(if the yeast is not good the mixture wont turn frothy and the bun won't be softer).
2. The milk should be slightly warm. (hot milk kills yeast)
3. Do not forget to add little sugar to milk as it helps in fermentation process faster.
4. Keep a tray filled with water while baking as bun becomes soft and won't be dry.