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Chelsea Buns
DessertBritish

Chelsea Buns

Chelsea Buns is a classic British dessert that holds a distinguished place in traditional cooking. Celebrated for its wholesome ingredients and time-honored preparation, this dish brings authentic regional character to the home kitchen.

Carefully baked or prepared featuring White Flour, Yeast, Milk, Butter, Eggs, Butter, Brown Sugar, Cinnamon, Dried Fruit, Milk and Caster Sugar, the components balance delicate sweetness and satisfying texture.

Enjoy warm or chilled alongside fresh vanilla custard, whipped cream, or a freshly brewed cup of coffee or tea for a comforting finish to your meal.

If you enjoy authentic British cooking, be sure to also explore our recipe for Apple & Blackberry Crumble.

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Ingredients

  • White Flour500g
  • Salt1 tsp
  • Yeast7g
  • Milk300ml
  • Butter40g
  • Eggs1
  • Vegetable OilDash
  • Butter25g
  • Brown Sugar75g
  • Cinnamon2 tsp
  • Dried Fruit150g
  • Milk2 tbs
  • Caster Sugar2 tbs

Step-by-Step Instructions

20 steps

Interactive Cook Mode: Click any step or circle to check it off as you cook.

Step 1

Sift the flour and salt into a large bowl.

Step 2

Make a well in the middle and add the yeast.

Step 3

Meanwhile, warm the milk and butter in a saucepan until the butter melts and the mixture is lukewarm.

Step 4🥄 Mix

Add the milk mixture and egg to the flour mixture and stir until the contents of the bowl come together as a soft dough. (You may need to add a little extra flour.)

Step 5

Tip the dough onto a generously floured work surface.

Step 6

Knead for five minutes, adding more flour if necessary, until the dough is smooth and elastic and no longer feels sticky.

Step 7

Lightly oil a bowl with a little of the vegetable oil.

Step 8

Place the dough into the bowl and turn until it is covered in the oil.

Step 9

Cover the bowl with cling film and set aside in a warm place for one hour, or until the dough has doubled in size.

Step 10

Lightly grease a baking tray.

Step 11

For the filling, knock the dough back to its original size and turn out onto a lightly floured work surface.

Step 12

Roll the dough out into a rectangle 0.5cm/¼in thick.

Step 13✨ Serve

Brush all over with the melted butter, then sprinkle over the brown sugar, cinnamon and dried fruit.

Step 14🔪 Prep

Roll the dough up into a tight cylinder , cut ten 4cm/1½in slice and place them onto a lightly greased baking sheet, leaving a little space between each slice.

Step 15⏱️ 30 minutes

Cover with a tea towel and set aside to rise for 30 minutes.

Step 16🔥 Preheat

Preheat oven to 190C/375F/Gas 5.

Step 17🥧 Bake⏱️ 20-25 minutes

Bake the buns in the oven for 20-25 minutes, or until risen and golden-brown.

Step 18

Meanwhile, for the glaze, heat the milk and sugar in a saucepan until boiling.

Step 19🍲 Simmer⏱️ 2-3 minutes

Reduce the heat and simmer for 2-3 minutes.

Step 20

Remove the buns from the oven and brush with the glaze, then set aside to cool on a wire rack.

👨‍🍳 Chef's Culinary Notes

Cultural Heritage

Chelsea Buns reflects the timeless heritage of traditional British home cooking, satisfying, traditional, and highlighting slow-simmered savory gravies. Prepared for generations for family gatherings and celebrations, it represents the heart of regional culinary identity.

Dietary Substitutions

If using instant dry yeast instead of active dry yeast, you can mix it directly into the dry ingredients without proofing first, reducing wait time by 15 minutes.

Chef Technique Tips

Always ensure liquids used to activate the yeast are comfortably lukewarm (around 38°C–42°C / 100°F–108°F); liquid that is too hot will kill the yeast, while cold liquid delays proofing. Keep the dough in a warm, draft-free spot to rise.

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