Cinnamon Sugar Bonbons

Eve 26/04/14

Light and fluffy pillows of enriched dough are baked until lightly brown. Brushed in butter and then rolled in sugar, these bonbons are a light bite from heaven.

Oh wow!

These little puppies are pretty amazing! They are like a cross between a doughnut, sweet bun and deliciousness. Better than fried doughnut for sure, in my opinion, as they are not greasy and they are super light in texture. 

I created these bonbons as a result of craving a doughnut but I often find doughnuts, well, a bit, yucky to be honest. I don't have a doughnut pan so regular ring ones were not on the menu unless I wanted to resort to frying them.

Oh no!

The batter or mixture when used for a traditional doughnut is a dough however a baked version is often a batter, kinda like a cross between a cake and pancake batter. Wanting to stay traditional, I created a enriched dough so when they would be baked, the bonbons would stay soft and puffy. 

They are so simple to make! Just an easy bread dough with the addition of...

• Sugar 
• An egg yolk
• Smidgen of butter (only 10g)
• Warm milk 

Q - What? Did you say "easy bread dough"? I thought it was difficult and confusing to make bread!
~
A -  It is the complete opposite! Homemade bread is easy as pie to make, it just requires some love and attention. Kneading does take a bit of work but once you have mastered it, it is a walk in the park.

Q - I have never used yeast before... What do I do with it?
~
A - It is really easy to use yeast, trust me. I use "fast action" or "easy bake" yeast but I call it "quick" yeast. This yeast always guarantees great results. I am a fan of "Allinson Easy Bake Yeast". I am not compensated for this but, for me, it is the best yeast to use!

When making bread or a dough of any sorts, I strongly advise you to hand-knead your dough. I used to always use my freestanding mixer when making bread and I was always disappointed with the results. Dense, under-mixed and flat are words that spring to my mind when thinking of those breads I made. 
I discovered that the way the mixer kneads, the dough never got worked enough but when you use your hands, you can really get a "feel" of the dough. A mixer can't stretch or work it like your hands can and the results are much better. Light and fluffy all the time, I don't think I'll use a mixer again for dough (unless it is brioche!).

Cinnamon Sugar Bonbons

Posted by Eve
Makes 15
Ingredients

• 125g Strong white flour 
• 1/2 tsp. Salt 
• 10g Butter, melted 
• 20g Caster sugar 
• 7g Quick yeast or 15g fresh*
• 1 Egg yolk
• 60ml Milk,  slightly warm

For the covering

• 20g - 30g Butter, melted
• 75g Caster sugar 
• 1 tsp. Cinnamon 

Method

1. Put the flour, salt,  butter, sugar and the yeast into a bowl. Stir well. 
2. Add the egg and milk and using a wooden spoon, mix until a dough starts to form. Tip on to a clean surface and knead by hand for 10 minutes until smooth and stretching. 
3. Put the kneaded dough into a lightly oiled bowl and cover with cling film. Leave to prove in a warm place for 30 minutes or until doubled in size. 
4. Once risen, put the dough on to a surface, don't knock out the air so be very gently. Divide into 14 - 15 even balls and place into a mini muffin tin. Cover with cling film and leave to prove for 30 -  45 minutes. 
5. Preheat the oven to 190ºc/ 180ºc fan/ gas mark 5.
6. Cover the dough balls with foil and bake for 20- 25 minutes until risen and puffy. They should be quite pale. Leave them to cool for 5 minutes and then pop out of the pan. 
7. Brush the Bonbons with the butter using a pastry brush and then roll in the cinnamon sugar until well covered. Repeat with the rest of the Bonbons.

*If using fresh yeast, mix with the sugar and leave for a minute until runny. Add to the rest of the ingredients and continue with the recipe.

Enjoy!

Best eaten on the day,  the Bonbons will keep for 3 days in an air-tight container at room temperature.