STEP 1
Preheat the oven to 200ºC/400ºF/gas ,
STEP 2
Put the butter, sugar and 1 teaspoon of sea salt in a pan with 325ml of water. Bring to the boil.,
STEP 3
Remove from the heat, add the flour and beat into a paste. Beat in the eggs, one by one, till smooth and combined.,
STEP 4
Transfer the mixture to a piping bag fitted with a plain nozzle.,
STEP 5
Pipe onto 2 large non-stick baking trays in dollops the size of large walnuts, leaving a gap between them so they can rise. You should get about ,
STEP 6
Wet your finger and gently squash the peak on each so they don’t burn, then bake for 15 to 20 minutes, or until puffed and golden.,
STEP 7
Remove from the oven and cool on a wire rack, then use a small sharp knife to pierce a little hole in each.,
STEP 8
Wash out the piping bag and nozzle, then spoon in the dulce de leche. Pipe the buns with dulce de leche, until just full. It might take a little practice, so don’t worry if you mess up a couple. Persevere, it’s worth it.,
STEP 9
If making the chocolate sauce, smash up the chocolate and place in a heatproof glass bowl with the cream and a pinch of salt.,
STEP 10
Place over a pan of gently simmering water (make sure the water doesn’t touch the bowl), and leave until the chocolate is melted and glossy, stirring occasionally.,
STEP 11
Make a toffee by adding the golden sugar to a shallow heavy-based non-stick pan with 50ml of water.,
STEP 12
Place over a high heat and leave to bubble for 4 to 5 minutes, or until light brown and syrupy. Don’t stir it, just gently shake the pan occasionally, and be careful – hot sugar can burn very easily, so keep the kids away and don’t be tempted to taste it.,
STEP 13
Leave the toffee for a few minutes to cool slightly, then, using tongs, carefully and lightly dip each bun into the toffee to get just a very thin coating (you don’t want to break your guests’ teeth) and practise sticking them together.,
STEP 14
Once you’re happy, arrange the buns on a platter so they stick together and build upwards into a pyramid shape. Serve with chocolate sauce, if you like.