Dilkhush/Dilpasand

Dilkhush or also called as Dilpasand or Coconut buns or Thengya buns is a famour coconut stuffed bun in all local bakeries of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. I have not eaten it much (being brought up in Mumbai) and tasted it for the first time only few years ago. But I liked the taste since I love coconut in any form. It is midly sweet and crunchy inside with lots of nuts and tooti-frooti. I had made this for the first time 7-8 months back when I had just started my yeast journey 🙂 Made it again today to for a friend and unfortunately the trip got cancelled and it is still lying at home intact. Have cling wrapped it and stored in the refrigerator. Though it is usually made with all purpose flour or maida in the bakeries, I have tried to make it more healthier by replacing three fourth of the maida with whole wheat flour, compromising a slight bit on the softness. But now, I am glad that I have added whole wheat flour, since we will end up eating the whole thing 🙂

Ingredients:

For the Base and covering:

• Whole wheat flour 125 gm (~1 cup)
• Maida 30-35 gm (~1/4 cup)
• Salt 1/4 tsp
• Sugar 4 tsp
• Instant yeast 1/4 tsp
• Milk plus lukewarm water 100 ml plus 1-2 tbsp
• Butter 1 tbsp

For the filling:

• Grated coconut fresh or dry 1/4 cup
• Powdered cardamom 1/2 tsp
• Cane/Normal sugar 1-2 tbsp
• Tooti frooti 1/4 cup
• Cherries 1 tbsp
• Dry fruits 1 tbsp

Method:

To make the filling:

• Mix the grated coconut, sugar, cardamom powder, tooti frooti, cherry pieces and dry fruits well and keep aside.

To make the dough:

• Add the flours, salt, sugar and yeast and knead for atleast 8-10 minutes into a soft and smooth elastic dough but the stretch and pull method using the butter.
• Keep it in a bowl and cover it with a cling film. Allow it to rise till it doubles in size.
• Punch the dough gently and knead for a minute.
• Divide the dough into 2 equal parts. ( I got around 130 gm each)
• Roll one part into a big roti/disc and place it on a greased cake tin. Poke the base with fork.

• Sprinkle the filling on the top.

• Roll the remaining dough and cover the filling with this.Seal the edges firmly.

• Poke some holes on top too with a fork for the steam to escape while baking.

• Apply milk wash on top and allow it to rise again for atleast 30 minutes.
• Meanwhile preheat the oven at 180 degree celsius for atleast 10 minutes.
• Bake these for 25-30 minutes. Apply milk wash again and bake at 200 degree celsius for 2-3 minutes.
• Remove from oven and allow it to cool on a wire rack.
• Slice and enjoy with tea/coffee/milk.