Honey Chai Pecan Swirl Buns
Tender enriched buns filled with a spiced chai butter, honey, and toasted pecan swirl. Baked until golden and finished with a light honey glaze, they deliver a warm, original flavor profile perfect for home baking.
Ingredients
- 500 g bread flour (for the dough)
- 240 ml warm whole milk (38-43°C)
- 7 g instant dry yeast (1 sobre)
- 80 g honey (divided entre dough, relleno and glaseado)
- 100 g unsalted butter, softened (divided entre dough, relleno and molde)
- 2 units eggs (for the dough)
- 8 g fine salt (for equilibrar sabor)
- 8 g chai tea leaves or from tea bags (solo the té, without the sobre)
- 70 g brown sugar (for the relleno)
- 4 g ground cinnamon (for the relleno)
- 2 g ground ginger (for the relleno)
- 1 g ground cardamom (for the relleno)
- 90 g toasted chopped pecans (for the relleno)
- 60 g powdered sugar (for the glaseado)
- 5 ml vanilla extract (for the glaseado)
Nutrition facts
per serving
Approximate nutritional information. Estimated from the recipe’s ingredients and amounts, using standard reference nutrition values. It may vary with brands, sizes and cooking method. For guidance only; not a substitute for medical or dietary advice.
Allergens
Instructions
- 1
1. In a large bowl, combine the warm whole milk, instant dry yeast, and 30 g (about 1 1/2 tbsp) of the honey. Let stand for 5 minutes until slightly foamy.
- 2
2. Add the bread flour, eggs, 60 g of the softened unsalted butter, and fine salt. Knead for 10 to 12 minutes by hand or mixer until the dough is smooth, elastic, and slightly glossy.
- 3
3. Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly greased bowl using a little of the reserved butter. Cover and let rise for 75 to 90 minutes in a warm place until nearly doubled in size.
- 4
4. While the dough rises, make the filling. In a bowl, mix 30 g softened unsalted butter, the chai tea, brown sugar, ground cinnamon, ground ginger, ground cardamom, and 30 g honey into a spreadable paste. Stir in the toasted chopped pecans and set aside.
- 5
5. Grease a rectangular baking pan or dish about 13 x 9 in (33 x 23 cm) with the remaining butter.
- 6
6. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and roll it into a rectangle about 16 x 12 in (40 x 30 cm). Spread the chai-honey filling evenly over the surface, leaving a 1 cm border on one long side.
- 7
7. Roll the dough up tightly from the long side into a log. Pinch the seam to seal. Cut the log into 12 equal pieces and arrange them in the prepared pan, leaving a little space between each bun.
- 8
8. Cover the pan and let the buns rise again for 35 to 45 minutes, until puffy and almost touching. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C).
- 9
9. Bake the buns for 25 to 30 minutes at 350°F (175°C), until deeply golden and cooked through in the center. If they brown too quickly, loosely cover with foil for the last few minutes.
- 10
10. While the buns bake, make the glaze by stirring together the powdered sugar, vanilla extract, 20 g honey, and 15 ml (1 tbsp) hot water until fluid but thick.
- 11
11. Remove the buns from the oven and let them rest in the pan for 10 minutes. Then drizzle the glaze over the still-warm buns so it clings to the surface and adds aroma.
- 12
12. Serve warm or at room temperature. For a softer texture the next day, warm each bun briefly before serving.
Chef tips
Toasting the pecans deepens the filling flavor. If you prefer a milder chai profile, use 5 g of tea; for a bolder taste, increase to 10 g, making sure it is finely crushed so it distributes evenly.
Substitutions
You can replace pecans with walnuts or toasted almonds. Whole milk may be swapped for reduced-fat milk, though the crumb will be slightly less rich. If you do not have brown sugar, use white sugar and add 1 extra teaspoon of honey to the filling.
What I used to make it
Generic kitchen tools that work for this recipe. You don’t need to buy anything to make it.
Illustrative imageNinja Professional BL610 Blender
Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Smoothies, sauces and soups
- Easy-to-wash jar
- Check the power and jar size
Illustrative imageCosori Pro LE 5 Qt Air Fryer
Browning and baking with little oil
- Browns food with very little oil
- Handy for vegetables, chicken and reheating
- Check the basket capacity
Illustrative imageT-fal Ultimate Hard Anodized 12" Non-Stick Pan
Eggs, omelets and stir-fries
- Eggs and omelets that don’t stick
- Comfortable, sturdy handle
- Use wooden or silicone utensils
As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Ratings & reviews
Sign in to rate this recipe
Sign in
