Panipopo is a Samoan coconut bun recipe where soft yeast buns bake in a sweet coconut sauce. It is one of the site's clearest bakery-style opportunities because readers can move naturally into coconut breads, drinks, and island desserts.
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Panipopo is a Samoan coconut bun recipe where soft yeast buns bake in a sweet coconut sauce. It is one of the site's clearest bakery-style opportunities because readers can move naturally into coconut breads, drinks, and island desserts.
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Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 1/4 teaspoons instant yeast
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 cup warm milk
- 1/4 cup melted butter
- 1 egg
- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
- 1 1/2 cups coconut milk
- 1/3 cup sugar, for the coconut sauce
Steps
- Whisk the flour, sugar, yeast, and salt in a large bowl.
- Mix the warm milk, melted butter, egg, and vanilla in a separate bowl.
- Combine the wet and dry ingredients and knead until a smooth dough forms.
- Cover the dough and let it rise until doubled in size.
- Divide the dough into 12 balls and place them in a greased baking dish.
- Mix the coconut milk with the remaining sugar and pour it around the buns.
- Let the shaped buns rest while the oven heats to 350 degrees F.
- Bake until the buns are puffed and golden and the coconut sauce is bubbling.
- Cool slightly before serving so the sauce thickens around the buns.
Nutrition
This page includes a per-serving nutrition table below the main content so readers can scan calories, macros, and key nutrition details without leaving the recipe.
Tips And Substitutions
Helpful tips
- Let the buns rise until visibly puffy before baking.
- Pour the coconut sauce around the buns rather than only on top.
- Bake until the tops are golden and the sauce has thickened around the edges.
Substitutions and variations
- Use coconut cream for a richer sauce.
- Reduce sugar slightly if serving with sweet drinks.
- Shape as rolls or pull-apart buns depending on your pan.
Serve It With
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View recipeFAQ
What does panipopo mean?
It commonly refers to Samoan coconut buns baked with sweet coconut sauce.
Can I make panipopo ahead?
Yes. Rewarm gently so the buns soften and the coconut sauce loosens.
Why are my buns dry?
They may have overbaked or needed more coconut sauce in the pan.
About This Version
This version keeps the Samoan coconut bun tradition central while making the page easier to scan and browse from.
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Nutrition Facts (per serving)
| Nutrient | Amount per Serving |
|---|---|
| Calories | 358 kcal |
| Fat | 13.9 g |
| Saturated Fat | 9.1 g |
| Carbohydrates | 90.1 g |
| Protein | 17.5 g |
| Sodium | 270.9 mg |
| Cholesterol | 52.4 mg |
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