If you’ve ever wandered the streets of Malaysia or dipped into the magic of Asian bakeries, you may have encountered the irresistible charm of coffee buns. The PappaRoti Coffee Buns Recipe is a beloved treat that combines soft, buttery bread with a crispy, coffee-flavored crust that cracks delightfully with each bite. This recipe captures that iconic texture and rich aroma, bringing a café favorite right into your kitchen. Perfect for breakfast, a decadent snack, or a cozy dessert, these buns offer warm comfort and a caffeine-infused twist that coffee and pastry lovers alike will adore.
Ingredients You’ll Need
Getting started with the PappaRoti Coffee Buns Recipe is straightforward thanks to a handful of simple ingredients that each play a crucial role in bringing this treat to life. From the softness of the dough to the fragrant coffee topping, every component is essential for achieving the perfect balance of flavors and textures.
- All-purpose flour: Forms the base of the dough and the topping, providing structure and lightness.
- Sugar: Sweetens the dough and the topping, balancing richness and enhancing browning.
- Instant yeast: Ensures the dough rises beautifully, creating that soft, airy crumb inside.
- Salt: Enhances all the individual flavors for depth and balance.
- Warm milk: Activates the yeast and keeps the dough moist and tender.
- Large eggs: Enrich the dough and topping, contributing to the soft texture and golden color.
- Unsalted butter: Used in both dough and topping for richness, flavor, and that signature flakiness in the crust.
- Powdered sugar: Helps create the smooth, crackly surface of the coffee topping.
- Instant coffee granules: Infuses the topping with a deep, aromatic coffee flavor that’s distinct yet subtle.
How to Make PappaRoti Coffee Buns Recipe
Step 1: Prepare and knead the dough
Begin by mixing the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt in a large bowl. Add the warm milk and egg, stirring until the mixture starts forming a soft dough. This is where the magic begins—the warmth of the milk wakes up the yeast, so your dough will soon come alive and rise. Next, knead the softened butter into the dough, continuing to knead for about 10 to 12 minutes until the dough is silky, smooth, and elastic. This step is crucial to develop the gluten, giving you that perfect chewiness inside. Cover your bowl and let the dough rise in a warm spot until it doubles in size, about 1 hour.
Step 2: Shape the dough and add the butter filling
When the dough has doubled, gently punch it down to release excess air. Divide it into six equal segments—these will become your buns. Flatten each piece with your hands and place a teaspoon of chilled butter right in the center. Carefully seal the dough around the butter and roll it into a smooth ball. This butter center will melt as the buns bake, creating a delightful pocket of buttery flavor inside each bite. Set your buns on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover, and let them rise once more for 30 to 45 minutes. This second rise ensures a light, fluffy texture.
Step 3: Make the coffee topping
While your buns are getting plump, it’s time to prepare the coffee topping that sets this recipe apart. Dissolve the instant coffee granules in the milk to get a rich, concentrated flavor base. In a separate bowl, cream together softened butter and powdered sugar until the mix becomes light and fluffy—this will give the topping its sweet, buttery crispness. Add in the egg and beat until smooth, then mix in the coffee milk. Finally, fold in the flour gently until the batter comes together. Transfer this luscious mixture into a piping bag for precise application.
Step 4: Decorate and bake
Preheat your oven to a toasty 375°F (190°C). Using the piping bag, swirl the coffee topping onto each bun starting at the center and spiraling outward to the edges. This creates not only a visually appealing pattern but also a wonderfully crisp coffee crust that cracks satisfyingly when the buns cool slightly. Bake your creations for 15 to 18 minutes until the tops turn a gorgeous golden brown and the aroma fills your kitchen with the promise of comfort and indulgence.
How to Serve PappaRoti Coffee Buns Recipe
Garnishes
A simple dusting of powdered sugar across the top of your PappaRoti Coffee Buns after baking can enhance their sweet aroma and add a charming delicate touch. For a little extra, try a light drizzle of melted dark chocolate or a sprinkle of finely chopped toasted almonds for some added crunch and texture contrast.
Side Dishes
These coffee buns pair wonderfully with hot beverages like a rich latte or a robust cup of black coffee, complementing the coffee topping beautifully. Alternatively, a small bowl of fresh fruit or a creamy yogurt on the side can balance the richness of the buttery buns, making for a well-rounded breakfast or snack.
Creative Ways to Present
Serve these buns slightly warmed on a wooden board, lined with parchment paper to keep things rustic and cozy. Stack them in a pyramid for a casual brunch spread that invites everyone to dig in. You can also slice them in half, spread with a thin layer of homemade coffee buttercream, and sandwich them back together for an indulgent twist that’s sure to impress your guests.
Make Ahead and Storage
Storing Leftovers
If you have leftovers from this batch of PappaRoti Coffee Buns Recipe, store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to two days. This keeps the buns soft and preserves the delicate coffee topping crispness as much as possible.
Freezing
You can freeze baked buns by wrapping each bun tightly in plastic wrap and placing them in a freezer bag for up to one month. When you’re ready to enjoy, thaw them at room temperature and refresh their texture in a warm oven for a few minutes.
Reheating
To bring back that fresh-from-the-oven feeling, reheat your buns in a preheated oven at 325°F (160°C) for about 5 to 7 minutes. This will make the bread soft again and slightly crisp the coffee topping without drying out the buttery center.
FAQs
Can I use regular brewed coffee instead of instant coffee granules?
Instant coffee granules are key for creating a concentrated coffee flavor without adding extra liquid to the dough. Brewed coffee might make the topping too wet and affect the texture, so it’s best to stick with instant coffee for the signature crust.
What’s the secret to that crispy coffee topping?
The combination of powdered sugar, butter, and flour in the topping, along with piping it in a spiral, creates cracks as it bakes, making the topping wonderfully crisp. Avoid spreading it too thickly to maintain that perfect crackle.
Can I substitute the all-purpose flour for a gluten-free option?
While you can try gluten-free flour blends, the texture may differ significantly since gluten development is important for the soft, stretchy dough. If you want to experiment, look for yeast dough-specific gluten-free mixes and expect some texture differences.
How important is the second rise before baking?
The second rise is crucial as it lets the dough relax and grow again after shaping, which ensures lightness and helps the buns puff up nicely during baking. Skipping this step can lead to denser buns.
What’s the best way to enjoy freshly baked PappaRoti Coffee Buns?
Enjoy them warm, ideally within the first few hours after baking for that soft interior and crisp coffee topping experience. Pair with a hot drink and savor each bite slowly—it’s pure bliss.
Final Thoughts
Making the PappaRoti Coffee Buns Recipe at home is like inviting a little piece of Malaysian bakery magic into your daily routine. With its heavenly combination of buttery soft bread and crackly coffee topping, these buns are bound to become your new favorite comfort treat. So give this recipe a go, enjoy the wonderful aromas filling your kitchen, and share the joy of freshly baked goodness with those you love.
Print
PappaRoti Coffee Buns Recipe
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 1 hour 43 minutes
- Yield: 6 buns
- Category: Breakfast, Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Malaysian
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
PappaRoti Coffee Buns are a delicious Malaysian treat featuring soft, buttery buns filled with chilled butter and topped with a crispy, sweet coffee-flavored crust. These buns combine the comforting flavors of coffee and rich butter, making them perfect for breakfast or dessert. Baked to golden perfection, they offer a delightful contrast between the tender bread and the crisp coffee topping.
Ingredients
For the dough:
- 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1 teaspoon instant yeast
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 cup warm milk
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
For the filling:
- 6 teaspoons unsalted butter, chilled and cubed (1 teaspoon per bun)
For the coffee topping:
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
- 1/4 cup powdered sugar
- 1 large egg
- 2 tablespoons milk
- 1 tablespoon instant coffee granules
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Prepare the dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, sugar, instant yeast, and salt. Add the warm milk and the egg, mixing together until a soft dough forms.
- Knead the dough: Incorporate the softened butter into the dough and continue kneading for 10 to 12 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and elastic. Cover the bowl and let the dough rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Shape buns with butter filling: Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 6 equal pieces. Flatten each piece and place 1 teaspoon of chilled butter in the center. Seal the dough tightly around the butter and shape each piece into a smooth ball. Arrange the buns on a parchment-lined baking sheet, cover them, and let rise again for 30 to 45 minutes.
- Make the coffee topping: Dissolve the instant coffee granules in the milk. In a separate bowl, cream together the softened butter and powdered sugar until fluffy. Add the egg and beat until smooth, then mix in the coffee milk mixture.
- Combine topping ingredients: Fold in the flour into the coffee mixture until fully combined. Transfer this coffee topping batter into a piping bag for easy application.
- Preheat oven and pipe topping: Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Pipe the coffee topping over each bun in a spiral pattern, starting from the center and moving outward to cover the surface evenly.
- Bake the buns: Bake for 15 to 18 minutes or until the buns are golden brown and the coffee topping becomes crisp. Remove from the oven and serve warm for the best experience.
Notes
- For best results, use European-style butter for a richer and creamier flavor.
- These buns are best enjoyed the same day they are made to retain freshness and texture.
- If needed, reheat the buns slightly in the oven to revive their crisp topping and warm interior.
