Vada's Vanilla Buns

D&D 2024 recipe: Vada's Vanilla Buns. Source: Heroes' Feast Flavors of the Multiverse. recipe type Lost in Realmspace, diet Contains meat Ingredients 1.5 cups unsweetened flaked coconut 2.5 cups bread flour, plus extra to dust the work surface 0.5 cup water, plus 1 tablespoon 3 vanilla beans 0.5 cup milk (not skim) 2 2 1 packet (2.25 teaspoons) instant or Rapid Rise yeast 0.25 cup granulated sugar Kosher salt 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, cut into 4 pieces and softened Instructions In a medium skillet over medium heat, toast the coconut, stirring constantly, until many of the flakes are dark golden brown (some flakes will remain white, so the quantity will appear to be spotty brown), about 4 minutes. Immediately scrape the coconut into the bowl of a food processor, and set aside to cool to room temperature, at least 10 minutes. Pulse until it's about the texture of whole flax seeds (a little smaller than sunflower seeds), about five 2-second pulses, and set aside. Meanwhile, carefully wipe out the still-hot skillet. In the skillet, off heat, whisk ¼ cup of the flour and ½ cup of the water until it forms a smooth, thick paste (with help from the residual heat in the skillet) about the texture of mashed potatoes, about 1 minute. Immediately scrape the paste into the bowl of a stand mixer, and set aside to cool until tepid, about 8 minutes. Meanwhile, with a paring knife, halve the vanilla beans lengthwise and scrape the seeds from all six halves. Collect the seeds in a small dish, cover, and set aside. Add the milk to the flour paste and whisk until smooth. Add one egg and whisk to incorporate it. Add the remaining 2¼ cups flour and the yeast. Fit the bowl and the dough hook to the stand mixer and mix on low speed for 1 minute. Adjust the speed to medium-low and continue mixing until the flour is incorporated and the resulting mass is cohesive, about 30 seconds longer. Turn off the mixer and rest the dough for 15 minutes. Add the sugar and 1½ teaspoons salt and kn...