Coconut Fingers

What can beat a buttered coconut finger with a cup of tea.

 The recipe for coconut fingers seems to be a hidden secret...I don't know if there is a code among Belfast bakers not to divulge secret recipes. I hope not or they might come after me. Anyway, I'm going to try an enriched dough which is a bread dough with added egg, butter and milk. It is used for things like hot cross buns and French brioche. I think I'll try it without adding sugar since there is going to be icing on the top. I am using a  Paul Hollywood recipe and method- a bit of a disclaimer there ha ha.

300ml full-fat milk, plus 2 tbsp more

50g butter

500g strong bread flour

1 tsp salt

75g caster sugar (optional because of icing)

1 tbsp sunflower oil

7g sachet fast-action or easy-blend yeast

1 egg, beaten

 

Method Used

 

I heated the milk and melted the butter into it. When back to room temperature I put the dry ingredients into a bowl  and made a well in the middle. I then gradually added the milk and butter and the egg. I brought the ingredients together into a sticky dough.

I kneaded the dough for 5 minutes until a soft smooth ball then I put into an oiled bowl and covered with cling film. This was left for about an hour until doubled in size.

 

 

 

I kneaded the dough again and leaving it to rise again.

 

 

With the second proving done I weighed out each bun at 75g.  I then shaped into fingers and laid each out on a tray lined with baking paper.  Now for one final proving.

Into the oven at 220c for about 15-20 minutes.

Looking good, texture seems right, nice and soft. Not sure if I should have added sugar but tastes good with jam.  I shall trust in the sweetness of the icing and coconut.


I mixed up some icing sugar with water until it reached a spreadable consistency and spread it on each roll.  I then scattered coconut over them.

 

 The verdict: Good. They taste very similar to bakery coconut fingers. Jury's still out on the sugar in the recipe though.

This recipe is good for people who enjoy baking or people who live away from Belfast in other countries.  If not the bakery ones are just as good.  What ever way you obtain them...enjoy.xx