CHOCOLATE AND PISTACHIO WHILIGIG BUNS

Steps:

• To prepare the dough, heat oven to 450 degrees.
• In a large bowl, combine 5 cups flour, sugar, salt and yeast.
• In a small saucepan, combine 7 1/2 tablespoons butter and the milk, and place over low heat until lukewarm.
• In a medium bowl, beat eggs lightly, and then whisk in milk mixture.
• Stir the liquid ingredients into dry ingredients.
• Using a mixer with a dough hook, or by hand, knead dough until smooth and springy, adding more flour if necessary.
• Form into a ball, and place in an oiled bowl.
• Cover with plastic wrap, and let rise in a warm place until double in size, about 30 minutes.
• Punch down dough.
• Line a 13-by-10-inch baking pan with parchment paper.
• On a lightly floured surface, roll out one-third of the dough, and place in pan.
• Roll out remaining dough to a rectangle about 20 by 10 inches.
• To make filling, mix together the butter and sugar to make a paste.
• Spread paste evenly over large rectangle of dough.
• Chop pistachios until splintery, and sprinkle evenly over dough.
• Top with chocolate chips.
• Starting from longest side, carefully roll up dough so it looks like a long sausage.
• Cut dough into 20 slices, each 3/8 inch thick, and arrange with a cut side up on top of dough in pan.
• Brush buns with beaten egg, and let them sit in a warm place until puffed up and snugly filling pan, about 15 minutes.
• Bake until buns are risen and golden brown, 20 to 25 minutes.
• Remove from baking pan to cool on a rack.
• Serve warm.
• Makes 20 buns.