Prep: 2 hours | Cook: 20 mins – 25 mins | Difficulty: Intermediate | Serves: 6 |
kcal | fat | saturates | carbs |
453 | 24g | 13g | 52g |
sugars | fibre | protein | salt |
5g | 2g | 10g | 0.40g |
About Sally Lunn Bun
The Sally Lunn Bun, steeped in rich history and flavor, is certainly one to give credits to our love for bread. This distinguished bun, originally popularized in the spa town of Bath in the United Kingdom, is now a celebrated bread worldwide for its delightful sweet notes and an inimitably fluffy texture. The list of ingredients itself, boasting of components like the active dry yeast, unsalted butter, whole milk, eggs, and all-purpose flour, testifies to the comforting fluffiness this bread yields.
The Origins and Evolution
Named after the famed 17th-century French refugee, Sally Lunn, this bread embarks on a unique culinary journey across the globe. Sally, known for her amazing baking skills, devised this recipe and sold these buns from her home in Bath. The Sally Lunn Bun soon became a popular delight among locals and visitors alike. Over the years, this bun’s recipe has been dissected, interpreted, and even improvised by bakers around the world, but the heart of it remains true to Sally’s original creation.
A Versatile culinary delight
The sweet tones of the Sally Lunn Bun make it a versatile choice in the kitchen, appealing to varied taste buds. Owing to its subtle sweetness, it pairs excellently well with savories, making it an ideal candidate for pulled pork sandwiches, sliders, or even a side to your hearty soup. Dessert lovers can enjoy this bun with a generous spread of fruit preserve or a scoop of your favored ice cream.
The ingredients and texture of this classic bread are reminiscent of the well-known brioche or challah bread. However, its uniqueness lies in the ratio of the ingredients, rendering it less rich and more light and airy than the aforementioned bread varieties. Even Taste of Home agrees that despite the similarities, Sally Lunn Bun retains its own character.
So, whether it’s a quick breakfast fix, an addition to your lunch, a teatime snack, or a delectable dessert, the Sally Lunn bun is an apt pick for any time of the day. Discover the joy of baking this timeless recipe and savor the tantalizing flavor of tradition, comfort, sweet, and soft rolled into one.
What You’ll Need
- 1 package (1/4 ounces) of active dry yeast
- 1/4 cup of warm water (110° to 115°)
- 1 cup of warm whole milk (70° to 80°)
- 1/2 cup of unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup of granulated sugar
- 3 large eggs
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 4 cups of all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons of melted unsalted butter (for brushing)
Method
Step One
Dissolve the package of active dry yeast in the warm water and let it rest for 5 minutes until it’s frothy.
Step Two
In a large bowl, combine the dissolved yeast, warm whole milk, softened unsalted butter, granulated sugar, eggs, and salt. Mix well until all the ingredients are well combined.
Step Three
Gradually add the all-purpose flour to the yeast mixture, one cup at a time. Mix well after each addition until the dough comes together – it should be soft, but not sticky.
Step Four
Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it for about 10 minutes, until it’s smooth and elastic.
Step Five
Place the kneaded dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a clean tea towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about an hour, or until it doubles in size.
Step Six
Punch down the dough, turn it out onto a lightly floured surface, and divide it into 12 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a round bun and place them on a greased baking sheet. Cover the buns with a clean tea towel and let them rise again for about 30 minutes, or until they double in size.
Step Seven
Preheat your oven to 375° F (190°C). Once the buns have risen, brush them with the melted unsalted butter.
Step Eight
Bake the buns in the preheated oven for 20-25 minutes, or until they’re golden brown. Let the buns cool on a wire rack before serving.