Preheat the Oven: Begin by preheating your oven to 400°F (200°C). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper to ensure your buns don’t stick during baking.

Boil the Mixture: In a small saucepan, combine 60 ml of water, 30 g of butter, and a pinch of salt. Bring this mixture to a gentle boil until the butter has fully melted and blends beautifully with the water.

Mix Dry Ingredients: Remove the saucepan from heat and stir in 35 g of flour and 1 teaspoon of cocoa powder all at once. Mix vigorously until a cohesive dough forms and pulls away from the sides of the pan—this might take about a minute!

Dry the Dough: Return the saucepan to low heat and cook the dough for 1–2 minutes. This step will slightly dry out the dough, helping it to rise perfectly in the oven.

Cool and Add Egg: Transfer the cooked dough to a bowl and let it cool for a couple of minutes. Gradually add 1 beaten egg, mixing until the dough becomes smooth and shiny, like a silky chocolate blanket.

Pipe the Dough: Using a piping bag or a spoon, pipe small mounds of the dough onto your prepared baking sheet. Aim for small, even sizes to ensure they bake uniformly.

Bake the Buns: Bake for 20–25 minutes until the buns are puffed and firm to the touch. Once done, turn off the oven, crack the door slightly, and let the buns rest for 5 minutes—this helps them dry out and maintain their shape.

Cool and Garnish: Cool the buns completely before dusting with cocoa powder or filling them with your favorite cream, ganache, or custard for that extra indulgent touch.