Description
Newfoundland Raisin Buns are a traditional East Coast Canadian treat characterized by soft, buttery, lightly sweet dough generously studded with plump raisins. These buns are perfect for breakfast, an afternoon snack, or tea time, offering a delightful balance of sweet and tangy flavors from the addition of lemon juice and vanilla. This easy homemade recipe uses simple pantry ingredients and classic baking techniques, resulting in tender, golden buns with a slightly crisp exterior and melt-in-your-mouth interior.
Ingredients
Scale
Dry Ingredients
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- ¾ cup sugar
- 4 tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp salt
Wet Ingredients
- ¾ cup cold butter, cut into pieces
- 2 tsp vanilla extract
- 1 cup evaporated milk (undiluted)
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
Add-ins
- 1 cup raisins (light or dark)
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) to ensure it reaches the proper temperature for baking the buns evenly and to golden perfection.
- Combine Dry Ingredients: In a food processor or large mixing bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt to distribute all leavening agents and seasoning evenly.
- Cut in Butter: Incorporate the cold butter pieces into the dry mixture using a pastry cutter or your fingertips until the mixture resembles coarse crumbs, which helps create a tender, flaky crumb in the buns.
- Add Raisins: Transfer the crumbly mixture to a bowl if needed and stir in the raisins evenly, ensuring each bite has bursts of sweet fruit.
- Mix Wet Ingredients: In a separate bowl, combine the evaporated milk, lemon juice, and vanilla extract, which add moisture and contribute a subtle tang and sweetness to the dough.
- Form the Dough: Make a well in the dry ingredients and pour in the wet mixture. Gently mix just until a dough forms, being careful not to overwork it to maintain softness.
- Knead the Dough: Turn the dough out onto a well-floured surface. Lightly sprinkle flour on top and fold the dough over itself 2 to 3 times to bring it together evenly without toughening the gluten.
- Roll and Cut: Roll the dough out to about 1 inch thickness. Using a biscuit cutter, cut rounds from the dough, which will become individual buns.
- Prepare for Baking: Place the cut rounds on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper to prevent sticking and ensure easy clean-up.
- Bake: Bake the buns in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes or until they turn a beautiful golden brown, indicating doneness and a slight crisp crust.
- Cool and Serve: Allow the buns to cool slightly on a wire rack before serving warm or at room temperature for best flavor and texture.
Notes
- Always use real, cold butter to achieve the proper crumb and avoid sticky dough.
- Flour your working surface generously but avoid adding too much extra flour into the dough to keep buns tender.
- Handle the dough gently, mixing and folding lightly to keep the buns soft and fluffy.
- Do not roll the dough thinner than 1 inch—thicker buns rise better and maintain moisture.
- Using aluminum bakeware and ensuring your oven is fully preheated will provide consistent, even baking results.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 20 minutes
- Category: Baking
- Method: Oven
- Cuisine: Newfoundland
Keywords: Newfoundland raisin buns, traditional Canadian buns, raisin bread, soft buttery buns, tea time buns, homemade raisin buns recipe, easy baking recipe
