Panipopo (Samoan Coconut Buns Baked in Sweet Coconut Sauce)
In short: Soft yeast buns baked in a sweet coconut cream sauce until golden on top and soaked underneath, a classic Samoan treat served warm. It takes about 1 h 5 min in total and makes 12 servings.
- Prep
- 30 min
- Cook
- 35 min
- Resting
- 1 h 30 min
- Total
- 1 h 5 min
- Servings
- 12
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 325 kcal
Panipopo are soft Samoan buns baked in a sweet coconut sauce. The yeast dough rises into plump rolls that sit in a pool of sugared coconut cream, which bubbles around them in the oven, thickens into a glossy glaze and soaks into the bottoms. The tops stay golden and bread-like. They are best served warm, with a cup of tea.
Instructions
- Mix the flour, yeast, sugar and salt in a large bowl. Add the warm milk, egg and butter and mix to a shaggy dough.
- Knead for 8 to 10 minutes by hand, or 5 minutes in a stand mixer, until smooth and elastic. Cover and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour, until doubled.
- Divide the dough into 12 pieces of about 65 g (2 1/4 oz). Shape each into a smooth ball and set them in a greased 23 x 33 cm (9 x 13 in) baking dish, close but not touching. Cover and let rise for 30 minutes, until puffy.
- Heat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Whisk the coconut cream, sugar and salt until the sugar dissolves.
- Pour the sauce evenly over and around the buns. Bake for 30 to 35 minutes, until the buns are deep golden and the sauce has bubbled and thickened around them.
- Rest for 10 minutes, then serve warm, spooning the sauce from the dish over each bun.
Tips
- Pour the sauce over the risen buns just before baking. If they sit in the sauce for long, the dough turns heavy and wet.
- If the tops brown too fast, cover the dish loosely with foil for the last 10 minutes. The sauce thickens further as it cools.
Questions and answers
What is panipopo?
Panipopo is a Samoan sweet dish of yeast buns baked in a sugared coconut cream sauce. The buns come out golden on top and soft and soaked underneath.
Can I use coconut milk instead of coconut cream?
Yes, but simmer the coconut milk with the sugar for 10 minutes first to thicken it, or the sauce will be thin.
How do I store leftovers?
Cover and refrigerate for up to 3 days. Reheat in a 160°C (325°F) oven for 10 minutes. The sauce will soak in further.
How long does it take to make Panipopo (Samoan Coconut Buns Baked in Sweet Coconut Sauce)?
About 1 h 5 min in total: 30 min of preparation and 35 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Panipopo (Samoan Coconut Buns Baked in Sweet Coconut Sauce)?
About 325 kcal per serving, with 6 g of protein, 47 g of carbohydrates and 12 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 325 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 6 g |
| Carbohydrates | 47 g |
| Fat | 12 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 16 g |
| Sodium | 150 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
