Coconut Buns

A few years ago we were holidaying in Samoa with my sister and her family and they resort had a tray of freshly baked panipopo available on the breakfast buffet.  After the first morning of our arrival, the kitchen had to make an extra tray of panipopo's every morning, just for us :-)

These are commonly known as panipopo or coconut buns.  A sweet bun baked in a thick coconut sauce and is a indulgence that should be had as a reward or one off every now and again as opposed to every day, but be warned.  They are addictive!!

Allow at least 3 hours for this recipe as it can take up to 2 hours for the dough to rise dependant on the room temperature but the wait is well and truly worth it.

  

Ingredients - Buns
3 1/2 cups of flour
1/4 cup of sugar
1/4 cup of milk powder
2 1/4 teaspoon of active dry yeast
3/4 cup lukewarm water
2 large eggs
4 tablespoons of softened butter
1 1/4 teaspon salt
1 teaspoon of vanilla extra

Ingredients - Coconut Sauce
400 mls of coconut milk
1 1/4 cups water
1/2 cup of sugar
2 teaspoons of arrowroot or cornflour
pinch of salt

Method
Place all the ingredients into your mixing bowl ensuring the yeast does not touch the salt.  Using the kneading blade, mix on low until combined, then knead on medium for 5 minutes until the dough "cleans the sides of the bowl", and forms a smooth, soft ball.  Alternatively you can mix and knead by hand.

Place the dough in a lightly greased bowl and cover with cling film. Place in a warm place so dough doubles in size.

Gently deflate the dough, and transfer to a lightly greased surface and divide into 12 - 15 pieces.  Shape each piece into a rough ball and place into a lightly greased tray ensuring the balls do not touch each other.  Cover again and leave to allow dough to double in size.

Place the ingredients into a saucepan and stir constantly over a medium heat until the sauce thickens slightly.  

Pour the sauce over the risen buns and bake in the 180°C oven for 20 to 25 mins until the buns are golden brown.

Serve warm from the pan making sure to scoop up the thick sauce with each bun you consume.

Enjoy!!