April 1, 2022
For the bun dough
320 ml lukewarm water, enough to combine, more as required
For the fruit mix
150 g dried dates, pitted, chopped
100 g dried figs, trimmed, very finely chopped
1/4 piece star anise, finely grated
For the cake
1 tsp Nuttelex for greasing tin
100 g Nuttelex, cold, chopped into cubes
1/4 cup soft brown sugar, firmly packed
2 eggs, lightly beaten /egg replacer
For the piping
For the coconut toffee sauce
For the bun dough
1Combine all ingredients with 200ml water in a bowl, cover with plastic wrap and stand in a cool, dark place to prove and double in size - at least 6 hours or overnight
For the fruit mix
1Combine all ingredients in medium sized mixing bowl. Mix well and macerate for at least 6 hours or overnight
For the cake
1Grease a 22cm ring cake tin with Nuttelex
2Using an electric mixer with a dough hook, place the bun dough in the mixer bowl together with the fruit mix, then slowly add remaining cake ingredients, cold chopped Nuttelex, soft brown sugar, salt and lightly beaten eggs/ egg replacer.
3In the stand mixer, knead for about 5 minutes or until the mixture has combined and starts to form into a ball. Alternately you can do steps 2 and 3 on a floured board by hand
4Transfer to the prepared greased cake tin and press the cake dough around the tin. Cover with a damp tea towel and set aside in a warm place for 1 hour to rise slightly
5Meanwhile, preheat oven to 200 C
For the piping
1Mix the piping ingredients in a small bowl until combined, set aside
To bake the bun
1Place bun cake in then preheated oven then carefully throw about ½ cup of water into the bottom of the oven to create steam. Close door and bake for 10 minutes
2Remove bun cake from oven. Using a piping bag or funnel, pipe a ring around circumference of bun cake, then pipe stripes at regular intervals from the inside to the outside of the pan to create crosses
3Reduce oven to 180°C and return bun cake to oven and bake for a further 25-30 minutes or until a skewer inserted into bun cake comes out clean
4Cool the bun cake tin for 30 minutes, then transfer, top-side up, to a serving plate
For the coconut toffee sauce
1Combine the coconut cream, Nuttelex, sugar and maple syrup in a saucepan over low heat
2Cook, stirring, for 1-2 minutes or until sugar dissolves
3Bring to a gentle boil. Reduce heat to medium-low
4Simmer for 2-3 minutes or until the sauce thickens slightly. Remove from heat, fold in icing sugar, more if required. Allow to cool to set, then drizzle some over the bun cake, and transfer to a serving bowl. Slice cake and serve with extra coconut toffee sauce on the side