Tahitian Breakfast Treats

  Breakfast

This is a healthy take on the Tahitian coconut breakfast treat called Firi Firi, which is typically fried. My version is baked and rolled in a spicy island sugar mix.

Tahitian Breakfast Treats

Average Rating: 0

TOTAL TIME: Prep: 35 min. + rising Bake: 10 min.
YIELD: 8 servings.

Ingredients

  • 1/4 cup warm water (110° to 115°)
  • 1 package (1/4 ounce) active dry yeast
  • 1/2 cup warm coconut milk (110° to 115°)
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 2 to 2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon salt
  • 1/2 cup sweetened shredded coconut
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger
  • 1/2 vanilla bean
  • 1/4 cup butter, melted

Instructions

  • 1.
    Add yeast to warm water and stir to dissolve; allow to sit until yeast has bubbled, 5-7 minutes. Add yeast mixture to warm coconut milk. In a large bowl, combine coconut, sugar, salt, yeast mixture and 1 cup flour; beat on medium speed until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour to form a stiff dough (dough will be sticky). Turn dough onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 6-8 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1-1/2 hours.
  • 2. Punch down dough. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide into 8 portions. Roll each into a 12-in. rope. Curl ends in opposite directions to form a figure 8. Tuck each end under where it meets center of roll and pinch lightly to seal. Place 2 in. apart on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover with a kitchen towel; let rise in a warm place until almost doubled, about 30 minutes.
  • 3. Preheat oven to 375°. Bake until light brown, 10-12 minutes. Meanwhile, place sugar, cinnamon and ginger in a shallow bowl. Split vanilla bean lengthwise. Using the tip of a sharp knife, scrape seeds from the center; stir into sugar mixture. Brush warm pastries with melted butter; roll in sugar mixture to coat.