Pani di cena Sicily (Sweet Italian Easter Buns) Recipe

• 1 teaspoon of active dry yeast
• 2 teaspoons of white sugar
• 125ml / 4½ fl oz of warm milk
• ¼ cup of strong white flour

• 2 large egg yolks
• 125 ml / 4½ fl oz of warm milk
• 2 teaspoons of vanilla essence
• 125 grams / 4½ oz of butter, at room temperature
• 3 cups of strong white flour
• 100 grams / 3¾ oz of white sugar
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• 1 egg white

• 15 grams / 1 oz of butter
• 1 to 2 tablespoons of boiling water
• a few drops of vanilla essence
• ½ to ¾ cup of icing sugar / confectioners sugar
• 2 tablespoons of hundreds and thousands / coloured sugar sprinkles

First make the sponge by stirring the yeast and the sugar into the warm milk and letting it sit for about 10 minutes until foamy. Stir in the flour, cover with plastic wrap and leave for around 1 to 1½ hours until it is frothy and bubbly.

Add the egg yolks, milk, and vanilla into the sponge. Mix in the butter. Combine the flour, sugar, and salt and stir a little at a time into the sponge. Pour out onto a lightly floured board, adding as little flour as possible and knead by hand for around 6 to 8 minutes until silky and elastic. Put the dough in a large oiled bowl, cover tightly with plastic wrap and leave to rise until it has doubled in size - approximately 2½ hours.

Shape the dough into 12 pieces, form each into a round, and set on oiled or parchment-lined baking trays. Cover well with towels and let it rise again for around 45 minutes until the rolls have doubled in size.

Preheat the oven to 200°C (400°F or Gas mark 6). Before baking, imagine a cross in the centers of the rolls and snip little V-shaped cuts in each quadrant so the top will open up. Brush the tops of the rolls with a little beaten egg white and bake for 20 to 25 minutes. Cool on a cake rack.

In a small bowl melt the rest of the butter. Add the boiling water, vanilla and icing sugar, mix together to form a smooth paste and spread a little paste on each bun to glaze. Finally, sprinkle with coloured hundreds and thousands.

(Serves 12)