Every epic tale needs a hero, and in this one, that hero is me – a dad determined to create the perfect honey buns for my hungry, demanding kid. Spoiler alert: I burned my finger, questioned my life choices, and somehow ended up with a batch of buns so good they might just be magic.
The Inspiration: Little Debbie and Nostalgia
It all started with Little Debbie’s honey buns, a childhood snack permanently etched in my heart and stomach. Back then, my mom would leave them out with a note: “Don’t touch the stove!” Microwave-safe, sweet, and sticky – they were my after-school salvation. Fast-forward to today, and my kid gave me the puppy eyes, asking, “Can you make buns like those, Dad?”
Challenge accepted.
Make Honey Buns Step 1: Tangzhong? Is That a Pokémon?
Turns out, making honey buns isn’t as straightforward as I thought. It starts with something fancy called tangzhong – a water-based roux that keeps the buns tender. There I was, whisking flour and water like my life depended on it, thinking, “Wow, I’m practically a pastry chef now.”
Pro tip: Chill the tangzhong after cooking it. Don’t skip this step unless you want buns with the texture of old sneakers.
Make Honey Buns Step 2: The Dough Hook Chronicles
Next up, the dough. This part involved bread flour, milk powder, yeast, an egg, milk, honey (obviously), and butter. My trusty stand mixer and I spent 14 long minutes watching a sticky blob transform into something that could actually be called dough.
Dad Tip: The dough should be stretchy and a bit sticky, but if it slaps the sides of the bowl dramatically, you’re doing it right.
After that, I placed the dough in a bowl for its beauty sleep (a.k.a. fermentation). I chilled it overnight because, let’s be real, dads need their sleep too.
Make Honey Buns Step 3: Filling and (Minor) Chaos
The next morning, I whipped up the filling: sugar, cinnamon, butter, vanilla, and honey. It smelled so good that my kid hovered around like a bee drawn to nectar.
“Dad, can I taste the filling?” they asked. Big mistake. After one taste, they wanted to eat it straight from the bowl. Disaster was averted with a strategically placed spoon.
Make Honey Buns Step 4: Rolling and Twisting (and a Little Cursing)
Here’s where things got tricky. Rolling the dough into ropes, flattening them, piping the filling, and then twisting them into spirals tested every ounce of my patience. One bun looked like a snail, another resembled a flat tire. But hey, imperfect buns have character, right?
Once shaped, the buns went onto a baking sheet for proofing. Watching them puff up was oddly satisfying, like seeing my kid’s science project actually work.
Make Honey Buns Step 5: Baking and Icing (A.K.A. Sweet Victory)
The buns baked at a high temperature until golden brown, filling the kitchen with an aroma that could rival any bakery. Some filling oozed out, but that’s just bonus caramelization in my book.
While the buns cooled (for five excruciating minutes), I whipped up the icing: cream cheese, butter, honey, cinnamon, and powdered sugar. Slathering it on the warm buns felt like the reward I deserved after surviving this culinary marathon.
The Verdict: Pure Honey Bliss
My kid took one bite, their eyes lit up, and they declared, “Dad, these are better than Little Debbie’s!”
Was it worth the hours of effort, sticky fingers, and mild existential crisis? Absolutely. These honey buns are soft, sweet, and just the right amount of indulgent. Plus, they’re infused with something Little Debbie can’t package: Dad’s love (and a bit of sweat).
So, if you’re up for a sweet adventure, grab your apron, channel your inner pastry chef, and give these honey buns a try. Just be prepared for your kids to demand them every weekend from now on.
Recipe Recap:
Dough:
- Bread flour, milk powder, yeast, egg, milk, honey, butter, and tangzhong.
Filling:
- Sugar, cinnamon, butter, vanilla, and honey.
Icing:
- Cream cheese, butter, honey, cinnamon, and powdered sugar.
Total time: 6 hours of effort, but 100% worth it.
Now, go forth and bake! Your kitchen (and your family) will thank you.
For more honey bread recipes, please see here.
For more honey recipes, please visit here.