In the interest of being upfront, there’s something I should mention about this recipe for Coffee Buns before we get started… They contain no coffee. None at all. Let me explain…
There’s a few bakes that Granny talks about more than others, most of which I’m pretty familiar with. Coffee Buns however are one that she has always mentioned when we discuss recipes, yet I couldn’t ever recall her making them, or even seeing them in any other capacity.
As it turns out, Coffee Buns are a bake that Granny remembers from her first ever after-school job in a local cafe in Haddington. As a teenager Granny would sell Coffee Buns alongside a cuppa, hence being called Coffee Buns. So as it turns out, the name simply comes from the fact they accompanied a cup of coffee and not because they have any taste or flavourings of coffee.
In fact, they’re really a very basic, almost biscuit-like bun, with sultanas and treacle through. I’m sure they’re lovely with coffee but as a tea drinker myself, I can confirm they aren’t exclusively nice to those who prefer a Latte or Cappuccino. The kids even enjoyed them with a juice and glass of milk!
Ingredients
- 85 g Caster Sugar
- 115 g Butter ((at room temperature))
- 1-2 tbsp Treacle
- 1 Egg
- 225 g Self-raising Flour
- 60 g Sultanas
Instructions
- Pre-heat your oven to 190°c (170°c for fan-assisted ovens or Gas Mark 5) and grease a couple of baking sheets with a little butter.
- In a large bowl, cream the sugar and butter until light and fluffy.
- Add the egg and mix until combined. Add the treacle and mix through.
- Sift in the flour and add the sultanas. Mix until you have a soft sticky dough.
- Take 1-2 tbsp of the dough and roll into a ball, before placing onto your pre-greased baking sheets. Repeat with the rest of the dough, leaving spray between each bun.
- Gently flatten each bun a little before baking in your pre-heated oven for 15-20 minutes.
- Allow to cool on the baking sheets a little before transferring to a wire rack to cool completely.
13 Responses
I love bakes like these- quick, simple and tasty. They look similar to rock buns/cakes. I’m going to bookmark them to try as I like the idea of adding treacle. Thanks for the recipe!
Just how you like your men lol?
real coffee buns are made with coffee essence in the recipe and atre loved even by those who dont like coffee
I agree with you, this is not the correct recipte for coffee buns. Coffee essence and currents in the right one. Also these aren’t glazed so don’t look finished.
Buy coffee buns all the time and they don’t have coffee in them and aren’t glazed. They look exactly like these above
The buns were absolutely delicious. Exactly like the ones I remember from my younger days,
Recipe was easy to follow. A bookmarked one
Did they have recipes like this in your day?
Very nice
The buns were absolutely delicious. Exactly like the ones I remember from my younger days,
Recipe was easy to follow. A bookmarked one
Just what I was looking for. Thanks
Made these today for after-school snacks. A big hit! Thank you for a lovely recipe.
Can the buns be frozen?
Absolutely the coffee buns of my East Neuk of Fife childhood. I substituted molasses for treacle as I prefer the flavour. Great results with your reliable recipes. Thank you.
Slightly different from my recipe, ( we use Demerara sugar and currants, with an egg wash glaze). Going to try this version, sure it will be just as great.