Bao Buns Recipe
Create deliciously fluffy Bao Buns with this easy recipe. These steamed buns, filled with savory or sweet ingredients, offer a perfect blend of textures and flavors. Ideal for any meal, they bring the taste of authentic Chinese cuisine to your table.
Ingredients
- 1 tsp baking powder
- 50 ml milk
- 1 tbsp rice vinegar
- 1½ tbsp caster sugar, plus a pinch
- 1 tbsp sunflower oil, extra for brushing
- 1 tsp fast-action dried yeast
- 525 g plain flour, plus extra for dusting
Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix flour, caster sugar, and ½ tsp salt.
- Dissolve yeast and a pinch of sugar in 1 tbsp warm water.
- Add this yeast mixture, along with milk, sunflower oil, rice vinegar, and 200ml water, to the flour mixture.
- Stir until a dough forms, adding more water if necessary.
- Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 10-15 minutes until smooth.
- Place in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let rise for 2 hours, or until doubled in size.
- Punch down the dough on a clean surface, flatten it, and sprinkle with baking powder.
- Knead for an additional 5 minutes.
- Roll the dough into a 3cm thick sausage shape, then cut into 18 pieces.
- Roll each piece into a ball and let rest for 2-3 minutes.
- Roll each ball into an oval about 3-4mm thick.
- Rub each oval with oil, place an oiled chopstick in the center, fold the dough over it, and then remove the chopstick.
- Place each bun on a square of baking parchment on a baking tray.
- Cover with a tea towel and let rise for 1 hour 30 minutes, or until doubled in size.
- Steam the buns in a large steamer over medium-high heat for 8 minutes, until puffed and cooked through.