If you have a sweet tooth and a love for coffee, you are going to adore the Papparoti Coffee Buns Recipe. These Malaysian-inspired buns are pillow-soft on the inside with a rich, buttery coffee-flavored crust that crisps beautifully as it bakes. Imagine biting into a warm, tender bun filled with cold butter that melts in your mouth combined with a sweet, aromatic coffee topping that leaves you craving just one more. This recipe is a total game-changer for anyone who appreciates freshly baked treats with a bit of a caffeinated twist.
Ingredients You’ll Need
The magic of Papparoti Coffee Buns comes from a handful of simple, wholesome ingredients that each play a huge role in the perfect balance of texture and flavor. From the flour that creates a soft dough to the coffee topping that adds that irresistible aroma, every ingredient is key.
- All-purpose flour (2 1/4 cups + 1/3 cup): Provides the structure and softness to the dough and the topping.
- Sugar (2 tablespoons and 1/4 cup powdered sugar): Adds subtle sweetness in both the dough and the topping for perfect balance.
- Salt (1/2 teaspoon): Enhances flavor and helps control yeast activity.
- Instant yeast (2 teaspoons): Makes the dough rise beautifully, creating that light, fluffy texture.
- Warm milk (3/4 cup): Gives moisture and tenderness to the dough.
- Large egg (2 total): Adds richness and helps bind the dough and topping ingredients together.
- Unsalted butter (3 tablespoons softened + 6 tablespoons cold for filling + 1/4 cup softened for coffee topping): Essential for that melt-in-your-mouth softness in dough, a luscious filling, and a crispy, flavorful topping.
- Instant coffee (2 tablespoons dissolved in 1 tablespoon hot water): Infuses the topping with the deep coffee flavor that makes this recipe so distinctive.
How to Make Papparoti Coffee Buns Recipe
Step 1: Preparing the Dough
Start by mixing the flour, sugar, salt, and instant yeast in a large bowl. Adding the warm milk and one egg creates a soft dough that’s perfect for kneading. Once the dough is formed, knead in the softened butter until it becomes smooth and elastic—this can take about 10 minutes by hand or 5 minutes with a stand mixer. Cover the dough and place it somewhere warm to rise, letting it double in size, about one hour. This step is crucial for fluffy, airy buns.
Step 2: Forming the Buns with Butter Filling
After the dough has risen, divide it into eight equal pieces. Flatten each piece in your palm, then place a cube of cold butter in the center. Carefully seal the dough around the butter, shaping each piece into a smooth ball. Place them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and let them rest for 15 minutes. This butter filling will melt inside during baking, adding rich moisture and richness to your buns.
Step 3: Making the Coffee Topping
While the dough balls rest, prepare your coffee topping. Cream the softened butter with powdered sugar until fluffy, then beat in the second egg and the dissolved instant coffee. Finally, mix in the flour until you get a smooth paste. Transfer this delicious topping into a piping bag and chill it until you’re ready to use. This topping is the signature part of the Papparoti Coffee Buns Recipe — it becomes that irresistible crispy, coffee-flavored crust on each bun.
Step 4: Decorating and Baking the Buns
Once your dough balls have rested, pipe a spiral of the coffee topping over each bun starting at the center and working your way outward. Pop them into a 350°F oven and bake for 15 to 18 minutes until the topping turns a gorgeous golden brown and the buns are fully cooked. The aroma filling your kitchen as they bake is a promise of the delight to come.
How to Serve Papparoti Coffee Buns Recipe
Garnishes
To enhance the experience, sprinkle a light dusting of powdered sugar over the buns right before serving. It adds a touch of elegance and sweetness that beautifully contrasts with the coffee topping. For those who love a little extra flair, a drizzle of vanilla glaze or a sprinkle of cinnamon can bring exciting new layers of flavor.
Side Dishes
Papparoti Coffee Buns pair wonderfully with a steaming cup of black coffee or a creamy latte, complementing their coffee notes perfectly. For a complete breakfast or afternoon snack, serve alongside fresh fruit or a light yogurt parfait to balance the richness of the buns.
Creative Ways to Present
Try serving these buns warm in a rustic bread basket lined with a cozy napkin to keep them soft. Another fun idea is slicing them in half and inserting a thin slice of mild cheese for a sweet and savory twist that will surprise and delight friends and family. Using colorful plates or plates with coffee-themed designs can also add a fun touch to your presentation.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you happen to have leftovers, store the buns in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. This keeps them soft and tasty, perfect for a quick breakfast or snack. Avoid refrigeration as it can dry out the buns.
Freezing
You can freeze baked buns by wrapping each individually in plastic wrap and placing them in a freezer-safe bag or container. Freeze for up to two months. When ready to enjoy, thaw at room temperature or gently warm them in the oven for a freshly baked sensation.
Reheating
To bring your Papparoti Coffee Buns back to life, reheat gently in the microwave for about 10 to 15 seconds. Alternatively, a quick 5-minute warm-up in a preheated oven at 300°F works wonders to revive that crisp coffee crust and molten butter interior.
FAQs
Can I use regular brewed coffee instead of instant coffee for the topping?
While regular brewed coffee has a milder flavor, instant coffee powder dissolved in hot water provides a more concentrated and consistent coffee taste, which is important for the topping’s signature flavor and texture. You can experiment, but instant coffee is recommended for the best results.
Is it possible to make these buns vegan?
You can try substituting the butter with a plant-based alternative and use non-dairy milk along with a flax egg or other egg replacer. However, it may slightly alter the texture and richness, especially in the coffee topping, which relies on butter and egg to crisp perfectly.
Can I add flavors like cinnamon or vanilla to the topping?
Absolutely! Adding a pinch of cinnamon or a splash of vanilla extract to the coffee topping mixture can create wonderful variations of this classic recipe, enhancing the flavor complexity while keeping the beloved coffee essence.
How do I know when the buns are fully baked?
The buns are done when the coffee topping turns golden brown and the buns have risen nicely with a firm yet soft feel to the touch. You can also check by gently tapping the bottom of a bun; it should sound hollow when fully baked.
Can I make the dough and topping ahead and bake later?
Yes, you can prepare the dough and let it rise, then refrigerate overnight to develop flavor. Make the topping and keep it chilled. When ready, shape the buns, apply topping, and bake fresh. This makes it easier to enjoy fresh-baked Papparoti Coffee Buns on your schedule.
Final Thoughts
Making the Papparoti Coffee Buns Recipe is like wrapping a warm hug around your day, delivering incredible coffee flavor with a soft, buttery bite every time. Once you try them fresh from the oven, you’ll understand why these buns are a beloved treat around the world. So go ahead, gather your ingredients and enjoy this luscious baking adventure – your kitchen and taste buds will thank you!
Print
Papparoti Coffee Buns Recipe
- Prep Time: 1 hour 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 48 minutes
- Yield: 8 buns
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Malaysian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Papparoti Coffee Buns are soft, fluffy Malaysian-style buns topped with a rich, buttery coffee-flavored crust. These delightful breakfast or dessert treats feature a pillowy dough with a hidden cube of cold butter inside, giving each bite a creamy surprise, complemented perfectly by a sweet and aromatic coffee topping baked to golden perfection.
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 2 1/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons instant yeast
- 3/4 cup warm milk
- 1 large egg
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
For the Filling
- 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, cold and cut into cubes
For the Coffee Topping
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 egg, beaten
- 2 tablespoons instant coffee dissolved in 1 tablespoon hot water
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Prepare the Dough: In a large bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, sugar, salt, and instant yeast. Add warm milk and the egg, then knead the mixture until a soft dough forms. Incorporate the softened butter and continue kneading until the dough is smooth and elastic, approximately 10 minutes by hand or 5 minutes using a stand mixer.
- First Rise: Cover the dough with a damp cloth or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
- Shape Dough with Butter Filling: Divide the risen dough into 8 equal portions. Flatten each piece and place a cube of cold butter in the center. Carefully seal the dough around the butter and shape it into a smooth ball.
- Rest the Dough Balls: Arrange the shaped balls on a parchment-lined baking sheet and allow them to rest for 15 minutes to relax and slightly rise.
- Prepare the Coffee Topping: In a separate bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until smooth. Beat in the egg and dissolved instant coffee mixture. Gradually mix in the flour until a smooth, spreadable paste forms. Transfer this topping to a piping bag and refrigerate until ready to use.
- Apply the Coffee Topping: Once the dough balls have rested, pipe a spiral pattern of the coffee topping onto the surface of each bun, starting from the center and working outward.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the buns for 15–18 minutes, or until the coffee topping turns golden brown and the buns are cooked through.
- Serve: Remove from the oven and serve the papparoti coffee buns warm for the best flavor and texture.
Notes
- You can add a hint of vanilla or cinnamon to the coffee topping for an aromatic twist.
- These buns are best enjoyed fresh but can be reheated in the microwave for 10–15 seconds to restore softness.
