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Fluffy Sally Lunn Buns Recipe

These golden, fluffy Sally Lunn Buns are lightly sweet, enriched with eggs and butter, and infused with lemon zest for a delicate, aromatic flavor.
Total Time 3 hours
Course Bread, Breakfast, Brunch
Cuisine British
Servings 6 large buns

Equipment

  • Baking sheet (lined)
  • Small saucepan
  • Oven
  • Pastry brush

Ingredients
  

  • cups whole milk
  • ¼ cup sugar
  • 6 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
  • 2 or 3 saffron threads optional, for color only
  • cups bread flour
  • 7 grams instant yeast
  • 2 large eggs
  • Grated zest of 1 lemon
  • teaspoons kosher salt

For the Egg Wash:

  • 1 large egg
  • 1 tablespoon water

Instructions
 

  • Warm the milk in a small saucepan over low heat, taking care not to boil it. Once warm, whisk in the sugar until dissolved, then stir in the butter until melted. If using saffron, add it now and allow the mixture to cool to 110°F or below before continuing.
  • In a large bowl, sift the bread flour and whisk in the instant yeast. Strain the milk mixture into the flour to remove saffron threads. Add eggs, lemon zest, and salt. Mix until a ragged dough forms, then knead until smooth (note: this will be a sticky dough). Place dough in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise for 60–90 minutes or until doubled in size.
  • After rising, punch down the dough to remove air bubbles. On a floured surface, divide into six equal pieces. Shape each piece into a ball and flatten slightly like a cake. Arrange on a lined baking sheet, cover, and let rise for another 45–60 minutes.
  • Preheat oven to 400°F.
  • For the egg wash, whisk the egg and water until smooth. Brush the tops of the buns with the egg wash once risen. Bake on the middle oven rack for 15 minutes or until golden, tenting with foil if browning too quickly. Cool on a wire rack and serve warm with butter, jam, or clotted cream.

Notes

  • The dough is intentionally sticky and won’t form into a traditional ball — this creates a soft, tender crumb.
  • Saffron is optional and only for color; skip it if unavailable.
  • Ideal for special breakfast or afternoon tea spreads.
Keyword classic brunch rolls, historic British bread, how to make Sally Lunn bread, lemon butter buns, old fashioned English bun, soft enriched bun recipe, tea time bread ideas, traditional sally lunn bun recipe
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