Pampushky (Ukrainian Garlic Buns)
Local name: Пампушки з часником
In short: Soft yeast buns baked golden and brushed with a punchy garlic, dill and oil sauce, the classic partner for a bowl of borshch. It takes about 50 min in total and makes 8 servings.
- Prep
- 30 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Resting
- 1 h 40 min
- Total
- 50 min
- Servings
- 8
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 355 kcal
Pampushky are the small garlic buns that come to the table with a bowl of borshch. The dough is soft and slightly rich, the buns are baked or fried until golden, and while still hot they are brushed with a sharp mix of crushed garlic, oil, water and dill. Wrapped in a towel for a few minutes they turn tender and fragrant. Eat them warm, dipped into the soup, or serve them alongside holiday dishes.
Instructions
- Whisk the yeast and sugar into the lukewarm milk and leave for 10 minutes until foamy. Add the flour, salt, egg and oil, then knead for 8 minutes until smooth and soft.
- Cover and leave in a warm place for 1 hour, until doubled in size.
- Divide the dough into 16 pieces of about 50 g (1.8 oz) and roll each into a smooth ball. Set them 3 cm (1 in) apart on trays lined with parchment, cover and leave for 30 minutes.
- Heat the oven to 190°C (375°F). Brush the buns with the egg yolk glaze and bake for 18 to 20 minutes, until deep golden.
- While the buns bake, crush the garlic with the salt to a smooth paste. Stir in the oil, water and dill.
- Brush the hot buns generously with the garlic sauce, then cover them with a clean towel for 10 minutes so they soften. Serve warm.
Tips
- Brush the buns with the sauce while they are hot. The heat releases the garlic's fragrance and the bread soaks it up.
- Use fresh garlic and crush it with the salt to a paste, so it spreads evenly without harsh chunks.
Questions and answers
Can I fry pampushky instead of baking them?
Yes. Fry them in 2 cm (3/4 in) of oil at 170°C (340°F) for 2 to 3 minutes per side until golden, drain, then brush with the sauce. Fried buns are richer.
Can I make pampushky ahead of time?
Bake them a day ahead and keep them in a bag. Reheat at 180°C (350°F) for 5 minutes and brush with fresh garlic sauce just before serving.
What do you serve with pampushky?
Borshch is the classic partner. They also go with other soups and stews, or on their own as a snack.
How long does it take to make Pampushky (Ukrainian Garlic Buns)?
About 50 min in total: 30 min of preparation and 20 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Pampushky (Ukrainian Garlic Buns)?
About 355 kcal per serving, with 10 g of protein, 49 g of carbohydrates and 13 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 355 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 10 g |
| Carbohydrates | 49 g |
| Fat | 13 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 3 g |
| Sodium | 520 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
