Cornish saffron buns
Soft, golden, fruit-filled buns coloured and scented with saffron, a Cornish teatime classic.
- Time3 hr 15
- LevelMedium
- Costabout £0.37 a head
- Oven190°C (170°C fan)
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
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Method
- 1
Crush the saffron into the hot milk and leave to infuse for 20 minutes.
20 min - 2
Mix the flour, yeast, sugar and spice in a large bowl. Rub in the butter, then stir in the dried fruit.
- 3
Add the egg and the saffron milk. Mix to a soft dough, then knead for 10 minutes until smooth and stretchy.
10 min - 4
Cover and leave in a warm place for 1 hour 30 minutes, until doubled in size.
90 min - 5
Knock back the dough and divide into 12. Shape into rounds on lined trays, cover and leave for 30 minutes.
30 min - 6
Heat the oven to 190°C (170°C fan). Brush the buns with milk and bake for 18 minutes until golden and hollow sounding underneath.
18 min - 7
Cool on a rack. Serve split and buttered.
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.