Sweet Apricot Buns Recipe – Buchteln with Lemon & Orange Zest

Difficulty:

3/5

Serves:

9 buns PEOPLE

Prep Time:

30 minutes

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Sweet Apricot Buns Recipe

This Sweet Apricot Buns recipe—Buchteln—is a soft, golden pastry filled with luscious apricot jam and subtly flavored with lemon and orange zest. Featured on Bonacini’s Italy, this recipe combines rich, buttery dough with a sweet fruit filling, creating a comforting treat perfect for breakfast, dessert, or afternoon tea. These buns are ideal for sharing, offering a visually appealing centerpiece that is both elegant and approachable for home bakers.

The Inspiration

Buchteln are a traditional Austrian pastry with roots in Central Europe, where sweet yeasted buns are often filled with fruit preserves or poppy seed paste. Chef Michael Bonacini brings a modern Italian touch to this classic recipe by infusing the dough with citrus zest, adding brightness that balances the richness of the butter and eggs. These buns are perfect for festive breakfasts, brunch spreads, or as a special treat with coffee or tea. The circular arrangement of the buns in the pan creates a visually stunning presentation reminiscent of European bakeries.

Ingredients

2 tablespoons (30 ml) active dry yeast
½ cup (120 ml) warm water
1/3 cup (80 ml) sugar, plus 2 tablespoons (30 ml), divided
2 egg yolks
1 egg
½ cup (120 ml) milk
2/3 cup (160 ml) melted butter, divided
½ lemon, zest only
½ orange, zest only
¼ teaspoon (1.25 ml) salt
3 ½ cups (830 ml) all-purpose flour
3/4 – 1 cup (180–240 ml) apricot jam
Icing sugar, for serving

Method

Combine yeast, warm water, and 2 tablespoons (30 ml) sugar in a small bowl. Leave for 10 minutes, until foamy.
In a small bowl, beat the egg yolks and egg together.
Stir together the yeast mixture, the beaten eggs, milk, 1/3 cup (80 ml) butter, lemon zest, orange zest, and salt until well combined.
In a large bowl, sift together the flour and remaining sugar.
Pour the yeast-egg mixture into flour mixture and stir with a wooden spoon until a dough forms.
Transfer dough to work surface and knead with hands until dough is pliable and smooth.
Transfer to a bowl and cover with plastic wrap. Let rise for 2 hours.
Punch the air bubbles out of the dough, transfer to a lightly floured surface and roll out evenly to ¾-inch (2 cm) thick.
Cut out into circles that are about 3 1/2-inches (9 cm) in diameter.
Fill the middle of each circle with 1 ½ tablespoons (22.5 ml) of apricot jam, then wrap dough around the filling, pinching at the top to secure.
Brush each bun evenly with the remaining melted butter.
When buttered, arrange neatly, seam-side down, in a high-sided baking dish. For a round dish, start in the middle and make concentric circles. For a rectangular dish, use rows.
Cover and let rise for 20-30 minutes.
Preheat oven to 325 F (160 F).
Place buns on the middle rack and bake until golden brown, about 25-30 minutes.
Remove, let cool, then dust with icing sugar and serve.
Buon appetito!

Serving Suggestions

Sweet apricot buns are best served warm, either straight from the oven or slightly cooled. Pair them with a steaming cup of espresso, cappuccino, or a fragrant black tea for a delightful breakfast or mid-afternoon treat. They also make an excellent dessert at brunch or family gatherings, where the soft, buttery buns with jam-filled centers can be shared easily. Consider serving alongside fresh fruit or a dollop of lightly whipped cream for a more indulgent presentation. Their golden, round arrangement makes them visually appealing as a centerpiece for any table.

Final Thoughts

These Buchteln are a celebration of buttery, yeasted dough and the sweet-tart brightness of apricot jam. Chef Michael Bonacini’s recipe elevates this traditional Austrian pastry with the addition of citrus zest, creating a refreshing note that complements the richness of the buns. Perfect for breakfast, dessert, or festive occasions, these sweet apricot buns combine classic techniques with approachable ingredients to deliver a warm, comforting treat that is sure to impress friends and family alike.

The combination of fluffy, tender dough and sweet jam filling highlights how simple ingredients can create extraordinary flavor, making these buns a versatile and memorable addition to your baking repertoire.

Find more recipes from Bonacini’s Italy here!