Jane Austen's Favorite Bath Buns Recipe (2024)

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Elaine Lemm

Jane Austen's Favorite Bath Buns Recipe (1)

Elaine Lemm

Elaine Lemm is a renowned British food writer, classically trained chef, teacher, and author with over 25 years of experience writing about British food and cooking.

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Updated on 12/28/22

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Jane Austen's Favorite Bath Buns Recipe (2)

Prep: 10 mins

Cook: 30 mins

Proving: 2 hrs 45 mins

Total: 3 hrs 25 mins

Servings: 12 servings

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Bath Buns are a lovely sweet enriched yeast dough bun synonymous with the city of Bath in south-west England. Bath is also the city of Jane Austen, the world-famous author.

Jane Austen was only too familiar with Bath Buns. She often found it necessary to sneak them surreptitiously into her room to augment the rather meager meals given by her well-meaning but rather stingy Aunt Leigh Perrot, according to the Jane Austen Society.

Here she addresses her sister, Cassandra

"Your going I consider as indispensably necessary, and I shall not like being left behind; there is no place here or hereabouts that I shall want to be staying at, and though, to be sure, the keep of two will be more than of one, I will endeavour to make the difference less by disordering my stomach with Bath buns; and as to the troyle of accommodating us, whether there are one or two, it is much the same:"
Jane Austen to Cassandra, 1801.

This modern recipeuses caraway seeds and crumbled sugar to create a lighter version of the famous bun. Serve them warm, split and spread with salty butter and you will understand just why Jane loved them so much.

Ingredients

  • 115 grams (about 4-ounces) unsalted butter

  • 450 grams (about 1 pound) all-purpose flour

  • 7 grams (about 1 1/2 teaspoons) instant yeast

  • 1 pinch salt

  • 4 tablespoons superfine sugar

  • 230 milliliters (about 1 cup) lukewarm milk

  • 2 large eggs, preferably free range

  • 1 tablespoon caraway seeds

For the Glaze:

  • 1 tablespoon milk

  • 2 tablespoons sugar

For the Topping:

  • 3 white sugar cubes, crushed

  • 1 tablespoon caraway seeds

Steps to Make It

  1. In a large baking bowl, rub the butter into the flour. Once you have created a crumbly mixture, add the yeast on one side of the bowl, the salt and sugar on the opposite side (it is not good for the yeast to come into direct contact with the salt). Stir thoroughly.

  2. Add the milk to the lightly whisked eggs, andpour this into the bowl with the caraway seeds.

  3. Then, using either your hand or a wooden spoon, mix really well to create a sticky dough.

  4. Tip the dough onto a lightly floured work surface and knead for 6 to 8 minutes (you can do this part in a mixer with a dough hook if you have one).

  5. Put the dough to rise in alarge, covered bowl until doubled insize (about 2 hours).

  6. Once the dough has doubled, tip back onto the floured surface and flatten lightly into a round. Cut the dough into 12 equal pieces, roll each into a ball and place onto a baking sheet covered with greaseproof paper or a nonstick mat.​

  7. Cover the tray with a damp tea towel and leave to rise again for 30 to 45 minutes.

  8. Preheat the oven to 350 F / 180 C / Gas 4.

  9. Generously brush the risen buns with the glaze, then bake in the preheated oven for 20 to 25 minutes (depending on your oven). The buns should be golden brown plus light and hollow when tapped on the bottom.

  10. Remove from the oven and then place the buns onto a cooling rack. Paint on the milk and sugar coating while still warm and immediately sprinkle on the caraway seeds—you may want to gently press them into the glaze to prevent them from slipping off. Repeat with the sugar bits.

  11. These buns are lovely eaten warm, cut and spread with salty butter.

Our Best Brioche Bun Recipe

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Nutrition Facts (per serving)
260Calories
10g Fat
37g Carbs
6g Protein

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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 12
Amount per serving
Calories260
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 10g12%
Saturated Fat 5g27%
Cholesterol 53mg18%
Sodium 35mg2%
Total Carbohydrate 37g14%
Dietary Fiber 2g6%
Total Sugars 8g
Protein 6g
Vitamin C 0mg1%
Calcium 46mg4%
Iron 2mg12%
Potassium 104mg2%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)

Recipe Tags:

  • buns
  • british
  • shower
  • bread

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Jane Austen's Favorite Bath Buns Recipe (2024)

FAQs

What buns are famous in Bath England? ›

We are famous for the Bath delicacy the Sally Lunn Bun – the original Bath Bun. A lot of people get confused between the London Bath Bun [small, heavy and sweet] and a Sally Lunn Bun.

What is the difference between Bath Bun and Sally Lunn bun? ›

Although quality control standards are much higher in contemporary kitchens than they were back in 1851, the Bath Bun is small, doughy, and very sweet in comparison to the original Sally Lunn: an altogether sturdier creation with a distinctive brioche-like personality.

What is a traditional Bath Bun? ›

The Bath bun is a sweet roll made from a milk-based yeast dough with crushed sugar sprinkled on top after baking. Variations in ingredients include enclosing a lump of sugar in the bun or adding candied fruit peel, currants, raisins or sultanas.

What is Jane Austen's favorite food? ›

Austen seemed to love a "white soup," which is meat gravy added to hard-boiled eggs, almond, and cream. A cheese toastie, however, is something anyone can get behind, and then enjoy while reading a favorite book in honor of Ms. Austen.

What do Brits call buns? ›

That explains why people from northern England predominantly plump for 'buns' or 'barm cakes', while in the south-east (especially London and the Home Counties), all you'll really hear is 'roll'.

What's the difference between a Chelsea bun and a Belgian bun? ›

Belgian buns are round in shape, filled with lemon curd and sultanas and finished with glacé icing and a cherry, while Chelsea buns have a distinctive square shape, are filled with cinnamon butter and dried fruit, and topped with a simple sugar glaze.

Why are they called Bath Buns? ›

According to the legend, the Sally Lunn Bun was invented by a 17th-century Huguenot refugee from France named Solange Luyon, who landed a job at a bakery in Bath.

How to eat a Bath Bun? ›

The bun is generally eaten with a knife and fork but there are no fixed rules. Most guests enjoy their bun with a huge smile on their face.

What does a Sally Lunn Bun taste like? ›

Sally Lunn Buns, scented with just a hint of citrus, either lemon or orange, have a light, airy, and tender crumb with a thin and crisp golden brown crust. This recipe makes a delightful and delicious breakfast or tea bread, somewhat like brioche.

What is a mum bun? ›

Take your hair elastic and put it around your wrist. Then, gather all your hair in a high pony (not too high, but around the crown of your head). Keep the base of the pony secure with one hand, twist your hair and twirl the twisted hair around the base of your pony to create your bun. Secure with your hair elastic.

What is a Marlborough bun? ›

Soft sweet dough with vine fruit and cherries topped with glaze. Contains: wheat, eggs, milk. 1467kJ/ 347kcal per portion. Marlborough Bun. Service counter.

What is a Vienna bun? ›

A smaller version of the classic Vienna loaf, which had its origins in 19th century Austria, these rolls are easily recognized by their shape, which is more oval rather than a bun's typical round one.

What did Jane Austen eat for breakfast? ›

In the Austen household, it was Jane's job to prepare breakfast for the family around 9 every morning. The Austen's breakfast consisted of pound cake, toast, tea and occasionally, cocoa. Jane often used the hour before breakfast for her own personal time.

Who was Jane Austen's true love? ›

' Jane Austen famously never married, but she did have admirers. The best known of these is Tom Lefroy, a clever young Irishman whom she met in December 1795. He had moved to London to study law and was spending the Christmas holidays with his uncle and aunt who lived in Ashe, near Steventon.

What colour was Jane Austen's hair? ›

First-hand accounts of Jane Austen's hair colour vary too, from light to darkish brown.

What is the famous English bun? ›

Bath bun is a traditional English sweet bread roll originating from Bath. The buns are circular, with nib sugar and caraway seeds on top of their highly glazed exterior. The texture is dense and close, while the flavor is lightly spiced and sweetened, with lump sugar underneath.

What is the famous cake from Bath? ›

Visit the home of the famous Sally Lunn bun, one of Bath's must-try historic delicacies. Some say the recipe came from a French Huguenot baker – Solange Luyon – who escaped to Bath from persecution in Paris.

What is Bath in England famous for? ›

A wellness retreat for the Romans and elegant Georgian architecture around every corner – Bath is the city that has it all. But look beyond its UNESCO World Heritage status and discover a destination bursting with cultural and gastronomic delights, from live music and comedy to captivating tours and experiences.

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