Editor’s notes: As Ramadhan comes to an end, many of us are preparing or have already started preparing for Eid. This year, Eid may fall on Friday of this week or on Saturday. A part of our Eid-Al-Fitr traditions involve preparing and consuming sweet treats like candies, pastries, and other sweet confections. Some may want to stick to their usual family traditions and others may want want to try something new! Below is a recipe for those of you who fall into the latter category. We hope you enjoy and let us know in the comments section below what you think. I wish you all an Eid Mubarak and may you all have a blessed day with your families and friends.

Ingredients (makes 16 buns)

600g / 24oz plain flour

1 tsp ground cinnamon

1/2 tsp ground mixed spice

4 tsps dried yeast

55g / 2oz caster sugar

250ml warm milk

60g / 2 1/2 oz butter

1 egg

125ml warm water

100g / 4oz raisins or sultanas

50g / 2oz mixed orange and lemon candied peels preserved in sugar syrup

1 egg, extra (for the egg wash)

1 tbsp apricot jam or sugar glaze

Method

Mix the yeast, sugar (set a tbsp of the two ounces aside to use later), and milk in a bowl until the yeast has completely dissolved. Cover the bowl and place it in a warm place until the mixture is frothy. This should take about 10-15 minutes, depending on how warm your kitchen is.

In a large bowl, combine the flour with the cinnamon and mixed spice. Then rub in the butter until well incorporated.

Add the yeast mixture, egg, water, and raisins/ sultanas, and combine well. Cover and leave to rest in a warm place for about an hour or until the dough has doubled in size.

Turn the dough out onto a floured board and knead until smooth. Then, divide into 16 portions.

Shape the dough into buns and place each bun onto a greased baking tray.  Cover the tray and leave to rise for 20 minutes.

While the dough rises, mix two tbsps of flour, three tbsps of water, and one tbsp of caster sugar into a smooth paste. When the dough is well-risen, brush all the buns with egg wash. Then, pipe or paint crosses on top of  the buns using the paste, or use a sharp pair of kitchen scissors to cut crosses on top of the buns.

Bake the buns in a 150 degree preheated oven for about 25 minutes until golden. Finally, glaze with warm apricot jam or sugar glaze.

Enjoy!

For other delicious Eid ideas, take a look at fun sticks and chocolate-dipped tangerine candy, or visit Farhat’s website at www.farhatyummy.com.

Image by Aidan CC via Flickr

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