Icelandic Chocolate-Covered Cream Buns
Experience the delightful taste of Icelandic tradition with these sumptuous cream-filled buns, known as Bolludagur Buns. Celebrated during Bolludagur, the Monday before Ash Wednesday, these treats are beloved for their light, airy texture and luscious filling. Each bun is lovingly crafted from a choux pastry, baked to a perfect golden brown before being sliced open to reveal a rich layer of raspberry jam and fluffy whipped cream. Topped with a decadent layer of melted chocolate, these buns are the perfect accompaniment to a cozy coffee break or a festive celebration. Indulge in these charming desserts that bring a slice of Icelandic culture right to your home!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
10
Ingredients
Ingredients
Water
1 cup (None)
Butter
1/2 cup (Cut into cubes)
Salt
1/2 teaspoon (None)
Sugar
1/4 cup (None)
Flour
1 cup (Sifted)
Eggs
3 large (Lightly beaten)
Whipping cream
1 cup (None)
Vanilla sugar
2 tablespoons (Or use 2 tsp. vanilla extract plus 2 Tbsp. powdered sugar)
Raspberry jam
1/4 cup (None)
Microwavable dipping chocolate
7 ounces (Melted)
Instructions
1
Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C) and line a baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it.
2
In a large saucepan over medium-high heat, combine the water, butter, salt, and sugar, stirring until the butter is completely melted.
3
Once the butter melts, add the flour all at once, and mix vigorously with a wooden spoon until the mixture thickens and pulls away from the sides of the pan, forming a ball of dough.
4
Remove the saucepan from heat and let it cool for a minute. Then, whisk in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each egg is fully incorporated before adding the next. The end result should be a smooth batter with a thick pudding-like consistency.
5
Using a tablespoon, drop heaping spoonfuls of the batter onto the prepared baking sheet, spacing them approximately 2 inches apart.
6
Bake the buns in the preheated oven for about 30 minutes, or until they are golden brown and puffed up. Important: Do not open the oven door during baking to prevent the buns from collapsing.
7
Once baked, transfer the buns to a wire rack to cool completely before filling.
8
While the buns are cooling, whip the cream and vanilla sugar (or vanilla extract and powdered sugar) in a mixing bowl until stiff peaks form.
9
Once the buns are completely cooled, slice each bun horizontally in half. Spread a generous layer of raspberry jam on the bottom half, followed by a dollop of whipped cream.
10
Place the top half of the bun back on and gently press down. Melt the dipping chocolate according to package instructions and drizzle or dip each filled bun in the melted chocolate.
11
Serve immediately, or chill briefly to set the chocolate before enjoying.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Icelandic Chocolate-Covered Cream Buns?
Known as Bolludagur Buns, these are traditional Icelandic treats made of light choux pastry, filled with raspberry jam and whipped cream, and topped with melted chocolate.
What is Bolludagur?
Bolludagur is an Icelandic holiday celebrated on the Monday before Ash Wednesday, famously known for the consumption of these cream-filled buns.
What type of pastry is used for these buns?
The recipe uses a choux pastry, which is a light dough that puffs up in the oven to create an airy center perfect for filling.
At what temperature should the oven be preheated?
The oven should be preheated to 375 degrees Fahrenheit or 190 degrees Celsius.
How do I prepare the baking sheet?
You should line the baking sheet with parchment paper or lightly grease it to prevent the buns from sticking.
What are the primary ingredients for the pastry dough?
The dough consists of water, butter, salt, sugar, flour, and eggs.
How do I mix the flour into the liquid base?
Add the flour all at once to the boiling mixture and stir vigorously with a wooden spoon until it forms a ball of dough.
How should I incorporate the eggs into the dough?
Remove the dough from heat and whisk in the eggs one at a time, ensuring each is fully incorporated before adding the next.
What consistency should the batter have?
The final batter should be smooth and have a thick, pudding-like consistency.
How much dough should I use for each bun?
Use a tablespoon to drop heaping spoonfuls of the batter onto the baking sheet.
How far apart should I space the buns on the tray?
The spoonfuls of batter should be spaced approximately 2 inches apart to allow room for them to expand.
How long do the buns need to bake?
Bake the buns for about 30 minutes until they are puffed up and golden brown.
Why shouldn't I open the oven door during baking?
Opening the door causes a drop in temperature that can result in the buns collapsing before they are set.
How do I cool the buns?
Once baked, transfer them immediately to a wire rack to cool completely before you attempt to fill them.
What ingredients are in the cream filling?
The filling consists of whipped cream sweetened with vanilla sugar or a mix of vanilla extract and powdered sugar.
Can I substitute vanilla sugar?
Yes, you can use 2 teaspoons of vanilla extract plus 2 tablespoons of powdered sugar instead of vanilla sugar.
How much whipping cream is needed?
The recipe calls for 1 cup of whipping cream to be whipped until stiff peaks form.
How do I assemble the buns?
Slice the cooled buns horizontally, spread raspberry jam on the bottom, add whipped cream, and then replace the top half.
What kind of jam is used in this recipe?
Raspberry jam is the traditional choice for filling these Icelandic cream buns.
How is the chocolate topping prepared?
Use microwavable dipping chocolate and melt it according to the package instructions.
How do I apply the chocolate to the buns?
You can either drizzle the melted chocolate over the assembled buns or dip the top half of the bun into the chocolate before assembly.
Can I serve these buns immediately?
Yes, they can be served immediately, or you can chill them briefly to allow the chocolate to set.
How many eggs are required for the dough?
This recipe requires 3 large eggs, preferably lightly beaten.
Do I need to sift the flour?
Yes, the recipe specifies using 1 cup of sifted flour for the best pastry texture.
How much butter is used in the pastry?
The recipe uses 1/2 cup of butter, which should be cut into cubes for even melting.
Is salt included in the dough recipe?
Yes, 1/2 teaspoon of salt is added to the water and butter mixture.
How much raspberry jam should I use?
The recipe suggests using 1/4 cup of raspberry jam for all the buns.
What is the weight of the chocolate needed?
You will need approximately 7 ounces of microwavable dipping chocolate.
Should the butter be melted before adding flour?
Yes, the butter should be completely melted in the boiling water with sugar and salt before the flour is added.
Can these buns be part of a festive celebration?
Absolutely, they are perfect for festive celebrations, coffee breaks, or traditional Icelandic holidays.