
Sherry on Top
Mediterranean Breakfast Buns with Brown Butter, Sherry, and Pearl Sugar
1 hour 30 minutes
Serves 4
BreakfastMediterraneanVegetarianNut-freeSoy-free
Herb's take
Take the Mediterranean sweet bun for a morning stroll with browned butter, Spanish sherry, and a crackle of pearl sugar. This recipe is your crash course in enriched dough and a gentle reminder that science loves breakfast.
Ingredients
Yield
4
Instructions
- 01In a small saucepan, melt the butter over medium heat. Let it cook, swirling occasionally, until the milk solids turn deep golden brown and it smells nutty, about 4 minutes. Remove from heat and immediately stir in the sherry. Let cool to room temperature.
- 02In a large mixing bowl, combine the warm milk, granulated sugar, and yeast. Let sit until foamy, about 5 minutes.
- 03Add the egg, flour, and salt to the yeast mixture. Pour in the cooled sherry-browned butter. Mix with a wooden spoon or dough hook until a sticky dough forms.
- 04Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface until smooth and elastic, about 8 minutes, or use a stand mixer with a dough hook for 5 minutes.
- 05Transfer dough to a lightly oiled bowl. Cover and let rise in a warm place until almost doubled, 45 to 60 minutes.
- 06Punch down the dough and divide into 4 equal pieces. Flatten each piece into a 5-inch disk.
- 07Spoon 2 tbsp of pearl sugar into the center of each disk. Fold the edges up and pinch to seal, enclosing the sugar in the center. Roll gently into a ball.
- 08Place buns seam side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover loosely with a towel and let rise 20 minutes.
- 09Preheat oven to 375°F.
- 10Whisk together the egg yolk and water. Brush buns with egg wash and sprinkle the tops with remaining pearl sugar, dividing evenly.
- 11Bake until buns are golden brown and crisp on top, about 18 to 22 minutes.
- 12Cool slightly before serving, ideally warm so the sherry-brown butter filling stays gooey.
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