Macatias are sweet buns found in every bakery in Reunion Island. According to Prosper, a Reunion Island based historian, it was the bread of the slaves when it was still in place on the Bourbon Island.

Don't expect a fluffy brioche, it really isn't the case, it's like a piece of baguette with chocolate chips. You can also find them plain, coconut flavored or even with cheese... It's a traditional creole snack.

Here's my humble rendition of the macatia, with a nice golden crust and an inside that isn't too fluffy or too dry. If you're trying them out, make sure to let me know !

Macatias can be done by hand or with a stand mixer. I personnally use a Kitchen Aid (this one, in green) and I'm obsessed.

For the chocolate chips, I've used milk chocolate but you can totally use dark chocolate too.

Macatia, chocolate chips buns from Reunion Island (10 buns) :

• 500 g flour
• 2,5 g salt
• 1 packet dried yeast (5g)
• 100 g sugar
• 25 g butter
• 25 cl water
• 70 g chocolate chips

Mix the yeast with 20 g of sugar and the lukewarm water in the bowl of your stand mixer. Mix and wait 10 minutes for the yeast to activate.

Put the rest of the ingredients (except chocolate chips) in the bowl of the stand mixer and mix on speed 2 for about 7 minutes. Dough must be smooth and not sticky.

To make them by hand, put all the ingredients (except chocolate chips) in a bowl and knead for 15 minutes. Dough must be smooth and not sticky.

Add the chocolate chips and knead (or mix with the stand mixer) for one more minute to spread them evenly through the dough.

Shape 10 buns, weighing 90g each.

Let them rise at room temperature on a baking sheet for 90 minutes.

With a sharp blade or cissors, make a deep crossed cut on top.

Preheat the heat at 220°C/430°F.

Bake for 10 minutes.

Let them cool a little bit before serving.