Cinnamon Bun Cake

 

I first shared this recipe back in 2014 after seeing it on Audra Fullerton's blog. I decided to give it another go this weekend as I wanted to make something really special for brunch after a rubbish week. 

I have converted all the cup measurements into grams for any fellow British bakers who want to give this one a go. I am so happy with how it turned out and I hope you enjoy the video I made, showing you how to make it over on my Instagram. 

Ingredients for the dough:

175ml milk
55g butter
450g strong white bread flour
7g yeast
50g caster sugar
1/2 tsp salt
60ml water 
1 egg 

For the filling:

125g dark brown sugar
1 tbsp cinnamon
55g butter 
1 tsp vanilla extract

For the frosting:

60g butter, softened 
125g icing sugar 
1 tsp vanilla extract 
a splash of milk 

Method:

1. To make the dough, warm the milk and butter in a small saucepan until all the butter has melted and leave to one side.

2. Put 2/3rds of the flour into a large bowl. Add the yeast to one side and the sugar and salt to the other. Add the milk mixture, egg and water and stir to make a very sticky dough. Slowly add the remaining flour and knead until a smooth dough has formed. Leave to rest for 10 minutes. 

3. To make the filling, melt the butter in a small saucepan, stir in the vanilla extract and put to one side. Combine the sugar and cinnamon together in a bowl.

5. Roll the dough out into a large rectangle. Brush with the melted butter. Pour any remaining butter into a 9 inch tin or ceramic dish. Sprinkle the cinnamon sugar onto the dough and gently press down. 

6. Cut the dough into strips, roughly 2 inches wide. Start with one strip and roll to create a swirl. Set that roll onto the next strip and continue to add to the swirl. 

7. Repeat with the next few strips until the roll becomes too large to continue in this way and place it into the prepared dish. Place the remaining strips around the edge to form one large cinnamon swirl. 

8. Cover with a cloth and leave to prove for 30-45 minutes. Don't worry if it doesn't look like it's changed much. It will rise in the oven! 

9. Preheat the oven to 180 fan and bake for 20-25 until well risen and golden brown. Leave to cool. 

10. To make the icing, cream the butter until soft. Add the vanilla extract and icing sugar and mix until it forms a nice thick frosting. Add a splash of milk to loosen it a little if necessary. 

11. Spread the frosting onto the bun (once it's cooled!) and serve immediately.