Description
This traditional Tea Buns recipe from Newfoundland offers soft, mildly sweet buns filled with raisins or currants. Perfect for breakfast or a cozy snack, these easy-to-make buns feature a tender crumb enriched with buttery goodness and a hint of vanilla, baked to a golden brown.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 1 tablespoon baking powder
- ½ teaspoon salt
Wet Ingredients
- ½ cup cold unsalted butter, cubed
- ¾ cup milk
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 egg, lightly beaten (for egg wash)
Optional
- ½ cup raisins or currants
- Extra sugar for sprinkling
Instructions
- Preheat and Prepare: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt to evenly distribute all dry ingredients.
- Cut in Butter: Add the cold, cubed butter to the dry mix and use a pastry cutter or your fingers to blend until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, ensuring small butter pieces throughout for a flaky texture.
- Add Raisins or Currants: Stir in the optional raisins or currants, distributing them evenly through the mixture.
- Combine Wet Ingredients: In a separate small bowl, combine the milk and vanilla extract, then pour this into the dry ingredients.
- Form the Dough: Stir gently just until everything is combined; avoid overmixing to keep the buns tender.
- Knead Dough: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and gently knead it a few times to bring it together as a cohesive ball.
- Shape Buns: Roll or pat the dough to about ¾-inch thickness and use a biscuit cutter to cut the dough into rounds.
- Prepare for Baking: Place the rounds onto the prepared baking sheet, brush each with the lightly beaten egg to achieve a glossy finish, and sprinkle with extra sugar if desired for sweetness and crunch.
- Bake: Bake in the preheated oven for 15 to 18 minutes until the buns turn golden brown and cooked through.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the buns to cool slightly on a rack before serving, making them perfect to enjoy with butter and jam.
Notes
- These buns pair wonderfully with butter and jam for a classic teatime experience.
- You can substitute dried cranberries or chopped dates for the raisins if preferred.
- For a richer and creamier flavor, replace part of the milk with cream.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Snack, Breakfast
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Newfoundland, Canadian
