I have never had Newfoundland Molasses Tea Buns until now. We got this recipe from a friend who had gotten this recipe from a lady named Audrey. I knew we had to give them a try.
These molasses buns , also called Lassy Buns are not what I expected. They really are not a bun at all and more like a cookie. Our family is not from Newfoundland but I grew up eating many similar things like these molasses tea buns – they remind me of cookies from my childhood!
They often have raisins or currants added though we kept it plain and simple. Sometimes “scrunchins” which is fried pork fat are added for flavor and richness. These “buns” use simple ingredients and were a necessity for fisherman. And I can see why – these travel well, have a slightly soft centre, but are a bit on the crunchier side and go great with a cup of tea or coffee.
Let’s get started!
Cream butter and sugar together.
Add egg and beat well.
Stir in molasses.
Add in salt and spices. Stir well.
Add half the flour and baking soda. Mix well.
Add enough flour to make a stiff dough.
Form into buns. Place on lightly greased baking tray.
We made mini buns, so we ended up with too many for the 8” pan, so my daughter put the rest on a cookie sheet. I do recommend though to cook in a square pan and making them larger.
Bake at 350F for 20 to 25 minutes.
Here’s the molasses tea buns in the square pan. They turned out exactly as they should.
Here’s the ones on the cookie sheet. They are much harder whereas the ones baked in the square pan are softer.
Serve warm with butter. They are so good – reminds me of gingerbread!
Newfoundland Molasses Tea Buns
1/2 cup butter
1/2 cup brown sugar
1 egg
1/2 cup molasses – I’m using fancy molasses
1/2 tsp cinnamon
1/2 tsp ginger
1/4 tsp allspice
1/4 tsp salt
2-1/2 cups flour
1 tsp baking soda
Cream butter and sugar together. Add eggs and beat well. Stir in molasses. Add in salt and spices. Stir well. Add half the flour and baking soda. Mix well. Add enough flour to make a stiff dough. Form into buns. Place on lightly greased baking tray. Bake at 350F for 20 to 25 minutes.
