Cinnamon Date Buns
 
 
Recipe adapted from Bon Appetit.
Author:
Type: Dessert
Serves: Makes 16
Ingredients
  • ⅔ cup coconut milk
  • 4 tablespoons sugar
  • 2¼ tsp active dry yeast
  • 2 large egg yolks
  • 1 large eggs
  • 1 cup spelt flour
  • 1¼ teaspoon kosher salt
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour, plus more for surface
  • ½ cup Earth Balance Margarine, cut into pieces, room temperature
Filling:
  • ½ cup Earth Balance Margarine, room temperature
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Topping:
  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tsp water
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
Instructions
  1. Preheat oven to 375°. Heat ⅓rd of the coconut milk and 1 Tbsp. sugar in a small saucepan until lukewarm. Combine milk mixture and yeast in the bowl of a stand mixer. As soon as yeast is foamy, about 5 minutes, add egg yolks, 1 egg, the remaining ⅓rd coconut milk, spelt flour, salt, 2 cups all-purpose flour, and remaining 3 Tbsp. sugar. Mix on medium speed until dough is smooth, shiny and elastic - 5–8 minutes.
  2. With motor running, add ½ cup room-temperature margarine a piece at a time, waiting until each piece is incorporated before adding the next. Mix 1 minute, then increase speed to medium-high and mix until dough is soft and supple, 6–8 minutes. (No stand mixer? Whisk ingredients into yeast mixture in a large bowl, then knead dough on a clean surface. Mix in margarine with a sturdy wooden spoon, then knead briefly to make sure butter is well incorporated.)
  4. Place dough in a buttered medium bowl. Brush with oil or melted margarine, cover with plastic wrap. Let dough rise in a warm spot until doubled in size, 1–1½ hours (2–2½ hours if dough was made ahead and chilled).
Filling
  1. Divide dough in half. Roll out 1 piece on a lightly floured surface to a 15×5” rectangle.
  3. Evenly spread margarine, cinnamon and brown sugar.
  5. Starting with a pointy end, roll up dough (like a reverse crescent roll).
  7. Place, seam side down, on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Repeat with remaining dough, filling, and another baking sheet.
  9. Cover buns with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm spot until almost doubled in size, 30–40 minutes.
Topping:
  1. Mix sugar and cinnamon in a small bowl. Whisk remaining egg and 1 tsp. water in another small bowl and brush over buns. Sprinkle with cinnamon sugar.
  3. Bake until golden brown, 20–25 minutes. Let cool slightly before serving.
Notes
Do Ahead: Dough (before rise) can be made 1 day ahead. Cover and chill.
Recipe by Party Inspiration at https://www.evermine.com/blog/cinnamon-bun-birthday-favors/