Cheddar & Chilli Buns
·Prep the pan
Preheat the oven to 185°C (365°F). Take the butter out of the fridge.
Mix the dry ingredients
In a bowl, combine the dry ingredients (flour, sugar, salt, black pepper, chilli, baking powder).
Grate the cheddar
Coarsely grate the cheddar and stir it into the dry ingredients.
Rub in the butter
Add the room-temperature butter, cut into small pieces, and work it in with your hands until you get a crumbly texture, like a streusel topping for cakes.
Whisk the egg mixture
In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg and buttermilk until lightly combined.
Sticky dough
Pour the liquid mixture into the bowl with the dry ingredients and stir well with a wooden spoon until everything comes together. The dough will be sticky.
Shape the buns on a baking tray
Line a baking tray with parchment paper and use two spoons to drop small mounds of dough onto it.
Sprinkle with chilli or pepper
Before baking, sprinkle the buns with chilli or freshly ground black pepper.
Bake and serve
Bake for about 15–20 minutes at 185°C (365°F) until golden. Serve warm for the best flavour — that's when the cheddar aroma really comes through.
