Portuguese Coconut Buns
Fluffy buns with a sweet coconut topping
Had at least one of these every day in Portugal and they were my absolute favourite daily treat. They are known as “pao de deus” or “bread of the gods” (and for good reason).
INGREDIENTS
Buns
1 tbsp active dry yeast
1 cup warm milk
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp vanilla extract
1 egg beaten
4 cups flour, plus more to work with
1/2 tsp fine salt
4 tbsp salted butter, melted
Topping
2 eggs beaten
1/2 cup sugar
4 oz dried coconut
Icing sugar, to dust
Sprinkle yeast and sugar into the warm milk, let sit for 10 minutes, until frothy. Add vanilla and egg, stir, then add melted butter and stir gently. Add flour and salt to the wet ingredients and mix with a spatula until a sticky, thick dough is formed.
Flour your work surface and work the dough with your hands, kneading for about 10 minutes or until dough is soft and bounces back when poked. Place dough in an oiled bowl and cover with plastic wrap, to let rise in a warm place for about 1 hour, or until it has doubled in size.
When your dough is ready, punch it down gently. Divide into 12 pieces and roll into a ball, making sure to tuck the corners underneath the ball. Place on a large baking sheet dusted with flour, then cover with a clean tea towel and leave to rise in a warm place for a further 30 minutes.
Mix the topping ingredients together while the buns rise. Gently brush the tops of each bread with beaten egg. Then stir the remaining beaten egg into the sugar and coconut, to form a thick paste. Top each bread with the topping, using your hands to shape it and press it so that it sits on top of the buns.
Place in the oven, preheated to 350. Bake for 20 minutes, until the buns are golden brown. Remove from the oven and leave to cool for 10 minutes, then dust with icing sugar and serve warm.
