Ready to fill your home with the irresistible scent of freshly baked goods? These Soft Chocolate Chip Buns are a true delight! They’re light, fluffy, and infused with a hint of cardamom, making them the perfect treat to share with your family. Serve them warm with a pat of cold butter or a glass of milk for pure comfort.
This recipe uses a simple overnight “cold fermentation” method, which gives the buns a richer flavor and incredible texture. But don’t worry – if you’re in a hurry, you can adjust the yeast and skip this step.
Ingredients (Makes about 12 buns):
- 1 cup (100 ml) lukewarm water
- 15 g fresh yeast (or 30 g if not using a cold rise)
- 4 tbsp (about 50 g) sugar
- 2 eggs (1 for the dough, 1 for an egg wash)
- 1 cup (250 ml) whole milk
- 550 g high-protein bread flour (or 450 g all-purpose + 100 g whole-wheat flour)
- 1¾ tsp (about 12 g) salt
- 2 tsp ground cardamom
- 75 g softened unsalted butter
- 150 g dark chocolate, chopped into chunks or use chocolate chips
Preparation:
- Activate the Yeast: In a large bowl, dissolve the yeast in the lukewarm water. Add the sugar, one egg, and the milk. Stir everything together until well combined.
- Knead the Dough: Add the flour, salt, and cardamom to the wet ingredients. Knead the dough for about 8 minutes, either by hand or with a stand mixer and a dough hook. The dough should be smooth and elastic.
- Incorporate the Butter: Cut the softened butter into cubes and add them to the dough, one at a time. Continue kneading until the butter is fully incorporated and the dough is smooth and glossy.
- Add the Chocolate: Gently fold the chopped chocolate or chocolate chips into the dough, distributing them evenly.
- First Rise: Cover the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap and let the dough rise in a warm place for about 2 hours, until it has doubled in size.
- Shape the Buns: Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces (roughly 100 g each). Shape each piece into a smooth, round bun. Place them on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- The Overnight Rise (Cold Fermentation): Loosely cover the buns with a damp cloth or plastic wrap. Let them sit at room temperature for another hour, then transfer the baking sheet to the refrigerator for 8–16 hours. (This step is optional but highly recommended for the best flavor!)
- Before Baking: Take the buns out of the fridge and let them come to room temperature and rise again (this may take at least an hour). Whisk the remaining egg and brush it over the top of each bun for a golden finish.
- Bake to Perfection: Preheat your oven to 210°C (410°F). Bake the buns on a low rack for 18–20 minutes, or until they are a beautiful golden brown. If they start to brown too quickly, you can loosely cover them with aluminum foil.
- Cool and Serve: Let the buns cool slightly on a wire rack before serving. They’re best enjoyed while still warm, perhaps with a little extra butter or jam.
Your homemade Soft Chocolate Chip Buns are now ready to be enjoyed!
