As the autumn and winter months draw in, there's no better way to create a snug and welcoming home atmosphere than by baking. This season, a particularly indulgent recipe is capturing the attention of home bakers across the UK: an elevated cinnamon bun with a distinctly festive twist.
The Ultimate Winter Indulgence
This specific recipe, sourced from Good Food and highlighted by the Express, transforms the classic cinnamon bun into a winter spectacle. The key to its cosy, Christmassy flavour profile lies in the incorporation of two powerful spices: ginger and cloves. These additions provide a warm, aromatic depth that is perfectly suited for colder days.
The indulgence doesn't stop with the spiced dough. The buns are finished with a luxurious icing that is a world away from the standard sugar glaze. It's a rich spiced brown butter version, adding a nutty, complex sweetness that complements the spicy filling exquisitely.
The result has been met with rave reviews. One baker who tried the recipe commented, "Totally delicious! I didn't think they really tasted like gingerbread, more like sticky toffee pudding, but they were really good!"
Your Festive Baking Guide
If you're inspired to recreate these divine buns in your own kitchen, here is the complete list of ingredients and method, ensuring you can achieve bakery-quality results at home.
Ingredients You Will Need
For the dough:
- 320ml milk
- 2 tbsp treacle
- 50g cold butter, cubed
- 500g strong white bread flour
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- 7g sachet fast-action dried yeast
- 1 tbsp light brown soft sugar
- Vegetable oil for proving
For the spiced butter filling:
- 100g butter, softened
- 100g light brown soft sugar
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 tsp ground ginger
- 1 tsp ground cinnamon
- A pinch of ground cloves
- 3 balls of stem ginger, finely chopped
For the spiced brown butter icing:
- 75g butter
- 100g soft cheese
- 150g icing sugar
- 1/4 tsp ground cinnamon
- 1/4 tsp ground ginger
Method: Crafting the Perfect Bun
Step 1: The Dough
For optimal flavour, consider preparing your dough the day before you plan to bake. Combine your milk, treacle, cold butter, flour, spices, yeast, and sugar to form a dough. Knead until smooth, then leave to prove in an oiled bowl until doubled in size.
Step 2: The Festive Filling
While the dough is proving, make the spiced butter. In a bowl, beat the softened butter, sugar, vanilla extract, and spices until smooth. Stir through the finely chopped stem ginger.
Step 3: Assembling the Buns
Once proved, tip the dough onto a floured surface and shape it into a rough rectangle. Roll it out to approximately 50cm by 40cm. Spread the spiced butter mixture evenly over the entire surface, ensuring you reach the edges. Tightly roll the dough from the longest side to form a log. Cut this log into 12 equal rolls.
Step 4: The Final Prove and Bake
Arrange the rolls, cut-side up, in a large, lined baking tin, leaving space for them to expand. Cover loosely and let them rise for 30 minutes to 2 hours. Meanwhile, preheat your oven to 200°C (180°C fan). Bake the buns for 25 minutes until golden, then leave to cool in the tin.
Step 5: The Icing
For the signature icing, melt the butter in a pan over a medium heat. Swirl it continuously for 5-8 minutes until it turns a nutty brown colour, being careful not to let it burn. Pour into a bowl and chill for 30 minutes until spreadable. Beat this brown butter with the soft cheese, icing sugar, and spices until smooth. Spread over the warm buns so it drips into the layers, then leave to set for 30 minutes before serving.
The Verdict on a Cosy Classic
This recipe successfully elevates a beloved classic into a show-stopping seasonal centrepiece. The combination of ginger and cloves within the bun, paired with the sophisticated spiced brown butter icing, creates a multi-layered taste experience that is both comforting and indulgent. It’s the perfect baking project for a chilly weekend, promising a warm kitchen, a divine aroma, and, most importantly, a batch of totally delicious cinnamon buns that are sure to impress.
