Thursday, August 04, 2011

Custard Raisin Buns



The inspiration from creating this custard buns came from chatting with a Chinese chef whose friend owns a baking store up in Denver.  He told me his friend used custard powder in making his bread and said I should try it.  I have used custard powder in cookies and Malaysian kuih (dessert) before but never in bread/buns so I was up to the challenge.  I added raisins for the extra sweetness so that this bun could be enjoyed as it without extra jam or preserves.


The custard powder gave it a light yellow hue and smelled fragrant.  This bun turned out soft and fluffy with extra sweetness from the raisins.  Oh, if you are wondering why my middle bun look like that, I actually wanted to try something new but failed.  I cut the four sides of the bun with a scissor when proofed just for experiment and realized that I should cut it before it was proofed.  Since cutting the bun sort of deflated the bun slightly.  Well learned a lesson here.



Ingredients:

  • 400ml fresh milk
  • 2 Tbsp. soften butter
  • 4 tsp. granulated sugar
  • 1/4 cup custard powder
  • 3 1/4 cup bread flour
  • 1 tsp. salt
  • 2 tsp. instant yeast
  • 1/3 cup raisins

Fist proofing done by the bread maker.

2nd proofing done when shaped into balls, ready for oven.

Method:

1.  Add the above listed accordingly into your bread maker except yeast and raisins.  Lastly, make an indentation on one side of the flour and add in the yeast.  Turn the bread-maker to "DOUGH" function.  When half mix, add in the raisins.

2.  When done, take out the dough and give it a few kneads.  Divided into half.  Roll one half into a log shape and cut it into 9 pieces.  Roll each piece into ball shape and place into a greased 8-inch square pan.  Roll the other half into a log shape and cut into 11 pieces.  Roll each piece into ball shape and arrange into a 9-inch round pan.

3.  Place into an oven with lights on and two bowls of hot water underneath and proves for an hour or until double in size.

4.  When proved, take it out and preheat your oven to 375'F.  Place the buns in the middle rack and bake for 12 minutes or until slightly golden brown on top.

5.  Cool on wire rack.  Make sure it's completely cooled before storing it in an air-tight container or in a freezer bag to freeze for later consumption.  This homemade buns are best consumed within 3 days at room temperature.
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24 comments:

  1. Oh that is interesting. I can see why the custard powder would make the bread softer. Unfortunately I don't think I've seen custard powder near me. I will have to look for it.

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  2. I've just the photo on eRecipeCards and was impressed!
    These buns look great!!

    I've never heard of custard-powder before...
    Is is similar to cornstarch ??

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  3. Wonderful recipe, beautiful post, love the shot of the little lonely bun that split

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  4. Your buns look soft and fluffy, next time I must try with custard powder too .

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  5. Custard powder is the trick hey? what a lovely idea.. imagine biting into that bread!

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  6. i've never tried using custard powder but it sounds so fantastic! and i want a bread maker! awww

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  7. Kirbie, I have seen custard powder selling at World Market (a small can for $5). Not at the normal supermarkets though.

    Thanks Winnie. Yes, the texture is similar to cornstarch except it has other things added to it and is yellow hue in color.

    Thanks Inspired by eRecipeCards.

    Thanks Sonia.

    Daphne, not sure because this bun is soft to begin with. :P

    Rita, it's worth it for me as I use it every week to make buns for us. It doesn't have to be high end, just the one that does the job. :)

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  8. interesting that you used custard powder :) I've never tried that with buns, your buns look great and thanks for sharing with us the little mishap!

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  9. These came out perfect! So soft...so light!

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  10. Wowowow these bun look soooo goood!!!! So fluffy! If i don't have bread maker can i try too?

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  11. Thanks Jen and Belinda.

    Cuisine Paradise, I don't see why not. Just mix everything and roll into a dough, place in a bowl, cover with cling wrap and let it proof until double in size and then follow the steps after the bread maker.

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  12. The bread looks really great, but the amount of custard powder added is quite alot!

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  13. Oh may... I come to the right blog! I just got a bread machine and have been thinking to make buns. Thanks for the recipe!!!

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  14. is there any suggestion of replacing custard powder? Just wondering if this recipe is only for custard buns. I have been looking for custard at stores but so far no luck:(

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  15. dwidlebug, I have more recipes using bread maker and do not required custard powder, check it out under Bread/Buns.

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  16. They look very fluffy & I like custard powder... btw love the new look of your site :)

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  17. interesting!! must try this recipe when I'm back to NY!! btw your bun look really great!

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  18. Experiments lead to perfection :)

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  19. Delicious to the core. They look so perfect and damn tempting :) Wish I could bake this well :)

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  20. Custard Powder can be indeed bought in the grocery store in the can. It is called Bird's Eye Custard powder. It has been in the supermarkets for years. My mom used it for years....go for it!

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  21. Thanks Kathy for the tips. :) I saw the Bird's Eye custard powder at the World Market but I didn't know I can get it at any local supermarkets. Guess I will have to look for it more closely. Is it at the baking aisle?

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  22. Bird's Eye Custard Powder is usually located in the pudding isle of the local market.

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  23. Thank you Kathy. Now I know where to look for it when I am out of it. It is a great help to my readers too. :)

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