Baking

Anneka Manning's old-school finger buns

Name: Childhood delight: Anneka Manning's old-school finger buns recipe
Prep time: 40 min
Cook time: 30 min
Total time: 70 min
Yield: 12
Ingredients: 2½ cups (375g) strong bread and pizza flour, plus extra, to dust; 2 tbs caster sugar; 60g sultanas; 7g yeast; ½ tsp fine salt; 200ml milk; 40g butter, cubed; 2 eggs, at room temperature; 1 tsp natural vanilla essence; Melted butter, to grease; 185g pure icing sugar; 5 tsp water; Pink food colouring; 2 tbs desiccated coconut, to sprinkle

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Essentially just milk bread studded with sultanas, topped with pink icing and finished with coconut, it’s the simplicity that gives the finger bun its appeal. This recipe is an extract from BakeClass by Anneka Manning (Murdoch Books, RRP $45), with photography by Alan Benson.

2½ cups (375g) strong bread and pizza flour, plus extra, to dust
2 tbs caster sugar
60g sultanas
1 sachet (7g) dried yeast
½ tsp fine salt
200ml milk
40g butter, cubed
2 eggs, at room temperature
1 tsp natural vanilla essence
Melted butter, to grease

Topping

185g pure icing sugar
5 tsp water
Pink food colouring
2 tbs desiccated coconut, to sprinkle

Method

1.

To make the dough, combine the flour, sugar, sultanas, yeast and salt in a large bowl and make a well in the centre. Combine the milk and butter in a small saucepan and heat over low heat for 2–3 minutes, or until the butter has melted and the milk is lukewarm. Remove from the heat. Whisk one of the eggs with the vanilla and add to the butter and milk mixture. Whisk to combine. Add to the flour mixture. Use a wooden spoon and then your hands to mix to a soft dough.
2.

Turn the dough onto a lightly floured bench top and knead for 8–10 minute, until it's smooth and elastic and springs back when you push your finger into it.
3.

Brush a large bowl with melted butter, to grease. Add the dough, turning it to coat lightly with the butter. Cover with plastic wrap and place in a warm, draught-free place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.
4.

Preheat the oven to 180°C/160°C fan-forced. Line two baking trays with baking paper.
5.

When the dough has doubled in size, knock it back by punching it in the centre with your fist. Turn onto a lightly floured bench top and knead for 2–3 minutes, until smooth and elastic. Divide the dough into 12 equal portions. Shape each portion into a long oval shape about 12cm long and 3cm wide in the centre, and place on the lined trays, leaving about 5cm between them. Cover with a slightly damp tea towel, and set aside in a warm, draught-free place for 30 minutes, or until well risen.
6.

Whisk the second egg and brush the rolls with it to glaze. Bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, swapping the trays halfway through baking, or until the buns are golden and sound hollow when tapped on the base. Transfer to a wire rack to cool.
7.

To make the topping, sift the icing sugar into a medium bowl. Use a wooden spoon to stir in the water and mix to a very thick pouring consistency. Add 2-3 drops of pink food colouring to tint the icing.
8.

Spread the cooled finger buns with the icing, allowing it to drizzle down the sides. Sprinkle with the coconut and set aside for 20 minutes for the icing to set before serving. These finger buns are best eaten on the day they are made.