Tea Buns from Lancashire
Tea Buns from Lancashire
Steve Lister
These are small, individual sized buns from Lancashire. Elsewhere, people may use the word "bun" to mean a bread roll or a sweet fruit roll like a raisin bun or Hot Cross Bun, but here in Lancashire, we call the bread rolls "teacakes". This is very specific to this part of UK!
These are great for making with the children/grandchildren and as the basic start for more elaborate buns and cakes by simply adding things to the mix. It is an easy recipe to follow, as you don't need to weigh anything, it is all done by measuring ingredients in a standard sized coffee mug with! Enough to make 20-30 buns
Ingredients
A pack of paper Bun cases
1 mug of caster sugar (normal, fine grain sugar works almost as well)
1 mug of margarine/butter
2 mugs of self raising flour
2 eggs
1/2 to 1 mug of milk
A pinch of salt
*Optional versions; add any one of the following from the list below;
2 tbs. of coco powder + chocolate chips (or one broken up dark chocolate bar , approximate 100 gm. The amount of chocolate doesn't matter too much, as you just get a bit more or a bit less, remember this is about being easy to make) + touch of vanilla ex
1 tsp. ginger powder + 1 tsp. allspice + 1 cup of dried mixed fruit
Half a mug of lemon marmalade + tablespoons of lemon juice
Half a mug of strawberry jam and half a mug of jellied fruit pieces
**Optional icing;
125 mg. icing mix, follow instructions on the packet (mix with15ml warm water).
Instructions
Easiest way is to use a food mixer but mixing can be done by hand in bowl.
First place sugar and then margarine (stops the sugar sticking to the margarine that way around) in a bowl and mix/beat into a light and creamy paste.
* Add extra ingredients at this point, if used, to make more elaborate versions of these buns.
Add flour and mix gently in creating a drier more solid mix
Add the two eggs to the mix and mix well.
Now add milk slowly, until you get a thick, creamy consistency.
Place a single bun case in each hollow of a bun tray (as this holds the bun case up properly. Without support, the mix may want to slop out!
Using a table spoon, fill each case about 2/3rds full (heaped tablespoon will probably do it).
Bake in the centre of medium-hot oven, 175?C or 350?F or Gas mark 4, for about 15-25 minutes, checking half way to make sure that they have risen and the crust is beginning to break open a little.
**Allow to cool before adding icing, if you are icing them!
