Chelsea Buns Recipe

This is a British Chelsea buns recipe. If you are American, this will remind you of cinnamon rolls.

So what are Chelsea buns?

A Chelsea bun is a sweet bun traditionally filled with currants, raisins or sultanas. They were first created - and made famous - in the 18th century at the "Bun House" in Chelsea, England.

Chelsea buns are still popular during tea time.

If you want to know why, make a batch and then please, come back and tell us what you think!

Chelsea Buns Recipe ~ Comments and reviews.

Ingredients for Sticky Chelsea Buns

2 to 2 1/2 cups of flour - sifted

2 tablespoons of sugar

1/2 teaspoon of salt

2 teaspoons of yeast

3 tablespoons of unsalted butter - melted

1/3 cup of warm milk - about 110 F.

1 large egg - beaten

1/4 cup of warm water - about 110 F.

Lemon or orange zest - optional

Method for British Chelsea Buns

In a stand mixer bowl - or a large bowl - place the water and yeast together and let stand until bubbly.

In a large bowl, mix together the flour - 2 cups - sugar and salt. Pour into the yeast-water mixture. Add the egg, the warm milk, the zest - if using - and the melted butter.

Mix until well combined. You may need to add some flour - 1 tablespoon at a time - until your dough is soft, bouncy and not sticky.

Cover and let stand for 1 hour or until dough has almost doubled in size.

Make the filling - Recipe below.

When the dough has risen, punch it down and turn it onto a lightly floured surface. With a floured rolling pin roll it out into a long rectangle: about 8 inches by 14 inches.

Spread the filling over the dough - evenly - leaving about a one inch border by one of the longest sides.

Roll up the long side of your Chelsea buns - not too tightly. With a pastry brush, brush some cold water on the edge without filling and close up the roll - this will help the edges stick together. Cut into sections.

Place each piece into a greased baking pan.

Let the Chelsea buns rise for another 20 minutes. In the meantime, set your oven on at 350 F. degrees.

If you do not want to bake them at this time, you can place some plastic wrap over them and leave them in the fridge. When you are ready to bake them, remove them and let them warm up for about 30 minutes.