Deliciously Satisfying Muesli Buns

I like these buns because they make you feel healthy and happy. They taste so good and every bite you take is a little different from the next, because there’s so much going on with all the different ingredients.

I usually make double the amount of this recipe. The buns keep well in the freezer and you can give them a quick ‘pick me up’ in the microwave.

Before you start!
You need to prepare a so called ‘sweetener’ which gives the dough it’s distinctive and pleasant taste. For this you mix 40 grams of sugar with the zest of 1 unwaxed lemon and one unwaxed orange. You can store this mixture in your fridge, it will keep for a long time. You also have to wash and soak your raisins. First wash them and then leave them for 10 minutes in warm water. Rinse with cold water and leave to dry on a plate for two days (cover them against dust). If you do not want to wait two days, or you forgot, just drain them well and roll them lightly in flour before using.

You also have to lightly toast the nuts, seeds and oats and leave them to cool before they go into the dough. Put them on a baking tray and toast them in your oven for about 12 to 15 minutes at 145º C /295º F.

Making the Muesli Buns
Make the dough with all the ingredients (except the muesli mix and raisins) and with 200 ml of the water. Then gradually ad the rest of the water and kneed to dough well. If you use a KitchenAid type mixer, mix for about 8 to 10 minutes. Make sure the dough is not too sticky or too dry. Aim for a bit tacky, which means that when you poke the dough with your dry finger it should stick for a second but then peel of as you remove your finger. Leave to rest for 5 minutes.

Then add the raisins and muesli mix (you can add the whole 150 g or add 100 g and use 50 g to cover the top of the buns like I did in the picture) and ‘pinch’ it through the dough very carefully by hand, so everything is evenly distributed. If you are lucky enough to own a spiral mixer, you can use that instead and it will only take one minute. If not, just do the hard work by hand. Press the dough down with both hands into a flat disc and roll it up cover it and leave to rest for 15 minutes. Now divide the dough into equal parts of about 90 grams and make buns. Again leave to rest for 10 minutes. Press the buns with your hand until slightly flat and round the dough again into smooth balls. Lightly moisten the top of the buns with water and press them into the muesli mix that you kept behind or in the optional oats or crushed wheat.

Place the buns on a baking tray lined with a baking sheet (we use our reusable thin fiber baking mats) and cover with floured plastic wrap. Preheat your oven to 210º C /410º F. The rolls are ready for their final proofing. Now wait til the buns are proofed to perfection, depending on your room temperature this should take at least 1 hour, but more likely 1.5 hours. Just be patient and check regularly. When ready place the buns in the oven and bake for about 25 minutes, depending on your oven. They should have a nice golden brown shine. Leave to cool slightly on a wire rack and eat one while still warm!

Perfect buns? Read our tips on dough temperature…