Newfoundland Raisin Buns

Newfoundland Raisin Buns. Traditional Newfoundland raisin tea buns are a cousin to scones and biscuits. Everyone’s Mom or Nan made them. Perfect with a steaming cup of tea.

Newfoundland Raisin Buns.

Originally published Oct 2007.

Newfoundland Raisin Buns. Can there be any doubt that the raisin bun is an icon of Newfoundland baking?

It would be nearly impossible to find a single person raised in this province whose mother or grandmother did not bake this most popular of staples in the Newfoundland kitchen.

Perfect for teatime!

UPDATE:  This old time Newfoundland raisins buns recipe has been one of the most popular on  Rock Recipes over the last 19 years. In making a list of the TOP 25 recipes in that time this one came in at number 18.

Sultana Raisins are great in this recipe but you can use any kind you like.

I have heard from countless ex-patriot Newfoundlanders as well as new bakers inside the province who have told me that a Google search for Raisin Buns is what led them to initially discover RockRecipes.com in the first place.

That still happens on almost a daily basis and I look forward to welcoming many more in the future.

Newfoundland Raisin Buns.

2017 update: Some people have experienced their buns spreading on a cookie sheet, so I have added a couple of tips in the notes section of the recipe. My grandmothers never made them on a baking sheet anyway, I just like them that way.

Newfoundland Raisin buns are traditionally buttered when served.

They would have made smaller buns and placed and tight together in a 9×13 pan, so that they can hold each other up as they rise. I still do that sometimes, especially if I am making a lot of them to freeze or serve at a big brunch.

Raisin Tea Buns placed in a 9×13 pan, ready for the oven. Some people prefer to bake them this way instead of spaced out in a cookie sheet. It also helps with them rise a little more.Baking tome can be a little longer.

Check the recipe card below for additional photos on my method for forming the dough.

Looking for more brunch inspiration?

Be sure to check out this amazing collection of our 25 Best Scone Recipes.

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Newfoundland tea buns.

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Newfoundland Raisin Buns.

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The Best Newfoundland Raisin Tea Buns

Yield: 16 tea buns

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Traditional Newfoundland tea buns are a cousin to scones and biscuits. Everyone's Mom or Nan made them. Perfect with a steaming cup of tea.

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Ingredients

• 3 cups flour
• ¾ cup sugar
• 4 tsp baking powder
• ½ tsp salt
• ¾ cup butter
• 2 tsp vanilla extract
• 1 cup evaporated milk, undiluted
• 1 cup raisins, light or dark, your preference. Use up to 1 1/2 cups if you like.
• 2 tbsp lemon juice

Instructions

1. I start these in my food processor because it is so fast but they can be made just as easily in a large bowl by cutting the butter in with a pastry blender or just rubbing it into the dry ingredients using your hands like Nan did.
2. In a food processor, combine the flour, sugar, baking powder and salt.
3. Cut in the butter until mixture resembles a coarse meal.
4. Transfer to a large bowl and toss in the raisins.
5. Make a well in the center of the dry mix.
6. Mix together the lemon juice, vanilla and milk.Pour into the well and mix only enough to form a dough ball.
7. Roll to 1 inch thickness and cut out buns with biscuit cutter and place on parchment lined baking sheet.
8. Bake at 375 degrees F for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown.
9. Baking time will vary depending on the size of your biscuit cutter. This recipe makes 16 tea buns.

After cutting the butter into the dry ingredients, make a well and pour in the milk and vanilla extract.

I use a fork to start combining the wet and dry ingredients.

Pull the ingredients from the edges if the bowl toward the centre. This helps the liquid to distribute evenly.

Continue with the fork, tossing the ingredients together in a sort of folding motion until "pebbles" of dough form.

Flour your hands and press the dough pebbles together into a single ball of dough.

Roll the dough to about an inch or so thick and cut out the tea buns.

Place the tea buns on a parchment paper lined baking sheet and lightly egg wash the tops.

Once the tea buns are all egg washed they are ready for the oven.

Alternatively, the cut out Raisin Tea Buns can be placed close together in a greased 9x13 pan. Some people prefer to bake them this way instead of spaced out in a cookie sheet for softer edges.. It also helps with them rise a little more. Baking time can be a little longer using this method, just make sure the tops have good colour before ypu take them out of the oven.

Notes

Only use real butter in this recipe. Substitutes can cause issues with sticky dough etc. 

Make sure your surface is well floured before you drop the dough onto it, you can sprinkle a little flour on top before you from it into a circle to roll out. The goal is to keep the dough as soft and unworked as possible. 

I usually sprinkle on flour and fold the dough only about 3 times. So, while you can add more flour while working the dough into shape, don't overdo it or your raisin will be less soft and tender.

Do not roll them too thin; never thinner than 1 to 1 1/2 inches. The larger the buns the thicker I tend to cut them.

Make sure you oven is well preheated and use aluminum bakeware when possible. Steel/alloy pans can carry heat too quickly and like they do sometimes with cookies, spread wider on the pan before they get the chance to lift.

Recommended Products

Rock Recipes a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon.com and affiliated sites. Our product recommendations are almost exclusively for those we currently use or have used in the past.

• 
  KitchenAid KFP1133CU 11- Cup Food Processor, Contour Silver
• 
  Nordicware Natural Aluminum Commercial Baker's Half Sheet (2 Pack), Silver
• 
  Rock Recipes: The Best Food From My Newfoundland Kitchen

Nutrition Information

Yield

16

Serving Size

g
Amount Per Serving Calories 265Total Fat 10gSaturated Fat 6gTrans Fat 0gUnsaturated Fat 3gCholesterol 27mgSodium 282mgCarbohydrates 41gFiber 1gSugar 20gProtein 4g

The nutritional information provided is automatically calculated by third party software and is meant as a guideline only. Exact accuracy is not guaranteed. For recipes where all ingredients may not be used entirely, such as those with coatings on meats, or with sauces or dressings for example, calorie & nutritional values per serving will likely be somewhat lower than indicated.

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Newfoundland Raisin Buns