Hungarian Jam Filled Buns (Lekváros bukta)
Jam filled buns are a traditional Hungarian delicacy that has been a staple of festive settings and ordinary meals for decades. This dish is extremely delicious due to the ideal blend of soft, yeasty dough and sweet, fruity filling. Whether it’s a family meal, a get-together with friends, or a lazy Sunday afternoon, jam filled buns are the ideal choice. We’ve included a straightforward, step-by-step recipe so you can make this delectable Hungarian delicacy at home.
The origins of Hungarian jam filled buns
The jam filled bun roots may be traced back to Austrian-Hungarian cuisine, where dough-based delicacies have a long heritage. In the Central European region, there are several variants and interpretations, but the Hungarian version, frequently filled with cherry or plum jam, is particularly popular. “Bukta” is one of those Hungarian sweets that has remained popular throughout time and is now an important part of many family holidays and festivities.
Ingredients:
- 800 g all-purpose flour
- 400 ml milk
- 4 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 14 g dried or 50 g fresh yeast
- 2 egg yolks
- 150 g butter
- 400 g jam (our favourite type)
- melted butter+powdered sugar
Steps:
- Mix the egg yolks, yeast, sugar, salt and lukewarm milk well with a whisk.
- Add the sifted flour and knead until you have a homogeneous mixture. Add the softened butter and continue kneading until the dough forms a smooth ball and comes away from the bowl. Cover the dough and leave to rise for 45 minutes.
- Carefully pull the dough apart into a rectangle on a floured work surface and cut it into 15 equal pieces. Shape each piece into a ball. Cover and leave to rise for 15 minutes.
- Stretch the dough by hand into approximately 4×4″ (10×10 cm) pieces. Place 1 1/2 tablespoons of jam in the center of the dough pieces. Fold 2 opposite edges up a little and press a little, then roll up from the other opposite sides and close the dough (watch our video to help you shape). Place them on a baking tray lined with parchment paper, cover and leave to rise for another 20 minutes.
- Brush the buns with melted butter and bake in a preheated oven at 380°F (190°C) for 30 minutes. Brush again the buns with melted butter again while they are still hot.
- Let cool a little and serve with powdered sugar. Enjoy your jam filled buns!
Watch our video about this recipe: