Tutti Frutti Buns

When I went home last time, papa bought a pack of sweet buns. Looks like he's been sneaking off one of those for a quick mid-morning snack, just like I would do when I was in school.

I told him I could bake him the buns that tasted just the same as the bakery version and that's what this is.

I started with 1/3 cup milk, a tsp of vegetable oil and a tbsp of sugar. Heated all of these in the microwave for 30 seconds until the sugar dissolved in the liquid. By then, the milk was quite hot so I let it sit for a while to cool back to lukewarm. Sprinkled half a tsp of instant yeast , waited a couple of minutes, then added enough plain flour to make a soft, sticky dough. I used a little more than half a cup of flour but it really depends on the type of flour, the weather and your stars!

Gather then dough into a ball and put in an oiled bowl to rise. Once it doubles, punch it down. Add about a tbsp of tutti frutti - not too much because in the bakery version, you literally have to hunt for the sweet red bits - and mix it well into the dough.

Split into 2-3 parts depending on how large you want to make these rolls, and shape into round buns. Let rise for an hour or so. In the meantime, preheat the oven to 220C. Bake the buns until they turn a golden brown. Cool on a wire rack.

These buns would make papa happy as is. Read on for my decadent school day treats. Sit down first, specially if you are one of those diet conscious souls who are easily shocked.

Split the buns in half and toast them. Spread a generous layer of salted (Amul) butter and sprinkle caster sugar all over. Then, if you are eight years old, enjoy. If you are me, enjoy but start planning the fruit and salad diet you will start tomorrow!