Foolproof Italian Cream Buns Recipe: Heavenly Sweet Treats

Soft, pillowy dreams rise from a classic Italian cream buns recipe that whispers comfort with every delicate bite.

Golden dough embraces a silky cream filling that melts on your tongue.

These heavenly pastries carry the warmth of traditional Italian bakeries right into your kitchen.

Each bun tells a story of culinary passion and generational skill.

Light and airy, they dance between sweet sophistication and rustic charm.

Bakers who love creating magic will find pure joy in crafting these delectable treats that promise to delight every palate.

Grab your apron and let these irresistible cream buns become your next baking adventure.

Quick Recipe Overview

Prep Time: 2 hours 30 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes

Calories: 282 kcal

Servings: 13

Italian Cream Buns: Ingredient

• Flour: Foundation of the buns, providing structure and soft texture, choose high-protein bread flour for better rise and chewiness.
• Sugar: Adds sweetness and helps with golden browning, select fine granulated sugar for smooth integration.
• Yeast: Crucial for dough's rise and airy texture, use fresh active dry yeast for reliable fermentation.
• Milk: Creates tender crumb and activates yeast, opt for whole milk at room temperature for best results.
• Egg Yolk: Contributes richness and smoothness, select fresh, high-quality eggs from free-range chickens.

• Orange Zest: Introduces bright, citrusy notes, use fresh organic oranges for vibrant flavor.
• Vanilla Bean Seeds: Provides deep, complex sweetness, choose premium Madagascar vanilla beans.
• Honey: Adds natural sweetness and moisture, select raw, unprocessed honey for optimal flavor.

• Butter: Creates tender, rich texture, use European-style unsalted butter for superior taste.
• Salt: Balances flavors and strengthens gluten, select fine sea salt for even distribution.
• Heavy Cream: Adds luxurious richness to egg wash and whipped cream, choose high-fat content cream.
• Powdered Sugar: Provides sweetness and smooth texture for whipped cream, sift to prevent clumping.

• Cherry: Optional decorative element, select ripe, firm fresh cherries or high-quality maraschino cherries.
• Egg: Used for egg wash, creating golden, glossy surface, choose fresh, room-temperature eggs.

Tools for Preparing Italian Cream Buns

• Stand Mixer: Essential for kneading dough with its hook attachment, making the process smooth and effortless.
• Whisk: Perfect for combining dry ingredients and creating a smooth mixture.
• Mixing Bowl: Large bowl for preparing and mixing ingredients.
• Parchment Paper: Prevents buns from sticking to the baking sheet.
• Baking Sheet: Provides a flat surface for baking the buns.
• Measuring Cups and Spoons: Ensures accurate ingredient measurements.
• Electric Mixer or Whisk: Needed for whipping cream to stiff peaks.
• Piping Bag (optional): Helps create a beautiful whipped cream rosette.
• Sharp Knife: Used for partially slicing the cooled buns.
• Cooling Rack: Allows buns to cool evenly and prevent soggy bottoms.

Steps for Making Italian Cream Buns

• Dough Preparation

Mix flour, sugar, and yeast in a stand mixer. Create a center pocket for wet ingredients. Add warm milk and egg yolk, kneading until smooth. Incorporate orange zest, vanilla bean seeds, and honey for rich flavor.

• Butter Integration

Slowly add butter while kneading, ensuring even distribution. Continue mixing for several minutes until dough becomes silky and elastic.

• First Rise

Place dough in a greased bowl, covering with wrap. Let it rest in a cozy spot until significantly expanded, approximately two hours.

• Shaping

Divide dough into 12 equal portions. Gently form each into a soft, round shape. Arrange on a baking sheet lined with parchment.

• Second Rise

Allow buns to expand for another hour. Brush with a cream-egg mixture to create a golden finish.

• Baking

Heat oven to 350°F. Bake buns until they turn a beautiful golden brown, roughly 20 minutes.

• Cream Filling

Whip cream with sugar until peaks form beautifully and hold their shape.

• Final Assembly

Slice buns carefully. Generously fill with whipped cream. Optional cherry adds a delightful touch. Dust with powdered sugar for an elegant presentation.

Tips and Toppings for Italian Cream Buns

• Replace cherries with fresh raspberries, strawberries, or tangy mandarin orange segments for a vibrant twist on the classic recipe.
• Mix cream cheese into whipped cream for extra richness, or fold in ground cinnamon and nutmeg for a warm, spiced flavor profile.
• Ensure warm milk temperature stays between 105-110°F to activate yeast perfectly without killing its rising power. Let dough rise in a draft-free area like a turned-off oven with light on.
• Prepare dough a day ahead and refrigerate overnight for deeper flavor development. Allow dough to come to room temperature before shaping and baking.
• Drizzle melted dark chocolate over filled buns, sprinkle toasted almond slivers, or dust with edible gold powder for an elegant presentation that transforms simple cream buns into showstopping desserts.

Serving Warm Italian Cream Buns

• Brunch Bliss: Serve these Italian Cream Buns as a luxurious centerpiece for weekend brunches, pairing them with freshly brewed espresso or cappuccino.
• Dessert Delight: Transform these buns into an elegant dessert by adding a drizzle of chocolate sauce or a sprinkle of toasted almonds for extra crunch.
• Tea Party Treat: Present these cream-filled buns on a beautiful platter during afternoon tea, creating an Instagram-worthy spread that will impress your guests.
• Picnic Perfect: Pack these portable treats in a charming basket for a romantic outdoor picnic, wrapping them individually in parchment paper for a rustic touch.

Storing and Enjoying Cream Buns Later

• Maximize Freshness: Store baked Italian cream buns in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days, keeping them soft and delicious.
• Refrigerate Smart: Keep cream-filled buns in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. Place in a sealed container to prevent moisture and maintain their delightful texture.
• Freeze for Later: Wrap individual unbaked dough balls in plastic wrap, then store in a freezer bag for up to 1 month. Thaw overnight in the refrigerator before baking.
• Serving Tip: Enjoy buns at room temperature for the best flavor and texture. Remove from refrigerator 30 minutes before serving to allow cream to soften and flavors to bloom.

Silky Italian Cream Buns Recipe

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4.7 from 34 reviews

• Total Time: 2 hours 50 minutes
• Yield: 13 1x

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Description

Delectable Cannoncini alla Crema showcases creamy pastry perfection from Northern Italy. Flaky puff pastry shells cradle silky vanilla custard, inviting you to savor each delightful bite.

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Ingredients

Scale 1x2x3x

• 2 cups (280 g) Manitoba flour
• ⅔ cup (150 ml) warm milk
• 1 large egg yolk
• ¼ cup (57 g) butter
• ¼ cup (55 g) granulated sugar
• 1 tsp (4 g) quick rise instant yeast
• 1 tbsp (20 g) honey
• Zest from 1 medium orange
• Seeds from 1 vanilla bean
• ¼ tsp (1 g) salt
• 1 large egg (for egg wash)
• 2 tbsps heavy cream or milk
• 2 cups (473 ml) heavy whipping cream (35%)
• 4 tbsps powdered sugar (icing sugar)
• Amarena cherries (optional)
• Powdered sugar for dusting

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Instructions

1. Dry Ingredient Fusion: Combine flour, sugar, and yeast in a stand mixer, creating a central cavity for wet ingredients.
2. Dough Formation: Pour warm milk and egg yolk into the well, using the dough hook to blend until a cohesive mixture develops, incorporating orange zest, vanilla bean seeds, and honey.
3. Butter Integration: Gradually add softened butter and salt, kneading continuously for 8-10 minutes to achieve a silky, elastic consistency.
4. Primary Fermentation: Transfer dough to a greased bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm space until volume triples (approximately 2 hours).
5. Shaping and Secondary Rise: Divide dough into 12 uniform portions, shape into smooth balls, arrange on a parchment-lined baking sheet, and allow a second rise for 60 minutes.
6. Egg Wash and Baking: Brush dough balls with an egg cream wash, then bake at 350°F (177°C) for 20 minutes until golden brown, cooling completely on a wire rack.
7. Cream Filling and Finishing: Whip heavy cream with powdered sugar, slice cooled buns, pipe cream generously, and garnish with a maraschino cherry and a dusting of powdered sugar.

Notes

• Warm Milk Precision: Use a kitchen thermometer to ensure milk is exactly 110°F, guaranteeing perfect yeast activation and dough development.
• Butter Incorporation Technique: Add softened butter gradually, allowing complete absorption to create a smooth, silky dough texture without separation.
• Rising Environment Matters: Choose a draft-free, warm spot like near a preheated oven or inside a turned-off oven with the light on for optimal dough expansion.
• Egg Wash Secret: Brush gently with egg wash using a soft pastry brush, ensuring even golden-brown coloration and beautiful shine on the buns.

• Prep Time: 2 hours 30 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes
• Category: Desserts, Snacks
• Method: Baking
• Cuisine: Italian

Nutrition

• Serving Size: 13
• Calories: 282
• Sugar: 13 g
• Sodium: 55 mg
• Fat: 18 g
• Saturated Fat: 11 g
• Unsaturated Fat: 7 g
• Trans Fat: 0 g
• Carbohydrates: 26 g
• Fiber: 0.5 g
• Protein: 3.5 g
• Cholesterol: 80 mg