Thengai Bun (Coconut Bun)
Thengai (Coconut)buns are a nostalgic treat for me. A popular stuffed bread available in the bakeries of Tenkasi in Tirunelveli Dist and few parts of Tamilnadu .When I was studying in the school I use to save money to buy the thengai Bun from the bakery shop who sold baked goods every day. All my friends who used to buy cup cakes ,pastries or puffs, but invariably I always returned to the coconut bun. I don’t know why coconut buns appeal to me so much. I think in part it’s because This Bun looks great & the coconut part looks so juicy... it makes me drool Or maybe it’s the sweet sugary crust which perfectly complements the coconut infused, raisin.tutifruti,cherry -studded flavors I love it! I don’t know. But the one which was in my regular buy list was this "Thengai Bun".
I wanted to make this for quite some time.. After so many years I tried this today evening it came out very well and everybody liked it. Baking this coconut bun bring back lot of childhood memories. It makes me remember my school days. Hope this Bun will bring back many fond memories for all of you Too!
Ingredients:
All-purpose flour /Maida- 1.5 cups/200gms
Active dry yeast - 11/2 tsp
Milk powder- 25 gms
Milk - 1/4 cup (Warm)
Water - 1/4 cup (Warm)
Sugar –1/4tsp
Salt - 1/2 tsp
Unsalted Butter/Oil
For stuffing:
Coconut - 1 cup (Grated)
Cashew nuts -30 gms
Raisins – 30 gms
Cherry- 10
Cardamom powder - 1/2 tsp
Sugar -50 gms
Tutti frutti -1/4 cup
Coconut Filling:
Heat a wok at low heat, add in raw sugarwith little water until it nearly melted Cook until everything melt then add shredded coconut. Make sure the shredded coconut coated with the melted sugar. Keep stirring to prevent it burn.
Mix the water with flour then add into the coconut mixture. Keep stirring until everything well combine and you could smell the fragrant of coconut mixture. It'll start become dry and you'll know it has done. Add nuts, raisins, tutti-frutti, cherry& cardamom powder. Mix well Let it cool down on a plate before use.
Or
Take a bowl and add in all the ingredients listed under filling. Mix well with a spoon to combine. Fresh shredded coconut is preferred for this recipe.
Method:
1 Take a bowl and add in the warm water yeast and sugar and mix. Allow this to proof for about 10 minutes. It will become foamy.
2) Mix flour and salt and crumble in the cold butter. Add the yeast-milk mixture, milk, milk powder, flour and the salt and combine until you get smooth, sticky dough. I had to add a touch more flour at this point.
3 Place dough, cover with wrap and put in a warm place (e.g. oven with light on) and let it rise for an hour or so until it doubles.
4) Punch down the dough and knead lightly. Then take a piece of about 2.5 inches diameter and flatten it lightly to a circle, place about 2 tbsp of the Coconut filling in the middle.
Now, roll out the remaining ball in to same 1/4 inch thick. Prick holes. Place it on the top of the coconut & dry fruits mixtures.
5)Pull the edges over the filling and enclose it. Seal it and Fold the edges together without any gap. Place this gently on a lined and greased cookie sheet.
6.Preheat oven for 180 degree and Bake for about 20minutes or the buns should be golden brown on top. Remove the buns and brush the buns with ghee / melted butter while it’s still hot. baked, take out and immediately apply some butter on the top.
7.When it is warm, cut it in to pieces.Serve warm. Warm coconut buns (Thengai bun) tastes great!
