Chinese Cocktail Buns

Prep Time:
45 mins

Cook Time:
15 mins

Additional Time:
2 hrs

Total Time:
3 hrs

Servings:
32

Ingredients

Directions

Place milk and ⅓ cup sugar in a small saucepan; stir until sugar is dissolved. Add ¼ cup butter; gently heat mixture until butter melts and mixture is warm but not hot — no more than 100 degrees F (40 degrees C).

Whisk 2 ½ cups flour and yeast together until well combined; stir in milk mixture. Beat 1 egg in a small bowl; stir into flour mixture until forms a sticky, wet dough. Turn dough out onto a well-floured surface; knead for about 10 minutes, gradually kneading in 1 cup more flour, or as needed, to make a smooth, elastic dough.

Form dough into a round ball, place into an oiled bowl and turn to coat. Cover bowl with a cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.

Beat ½ cup sugar and remaining ¼ cup butter in a bowl until light and fluffy; stir in coconut, milk powder, and remaining ½ cup flour until smooth and combined. Set filling aside. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

Punch down dough on a floured surface; cut into 2 equal pieces. Cut each piece into 8 equal-sized pieces (16 pieces total). Form each piece into an oblong shape; flatten with a floured rolling pin. Spoon about 1 tablespoon filling in center of 1 flattened dough piece. Pull and pinch edges of dough together to enclose filling; place buns seam-side down onto a prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining filling and flattened dough pieces. Cover buns with a cloth; let rise in a warm place for 1 hour.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

Beat remaining 1 egg in a bowl; brush on each bun for a glossy coating. Sprinkle each bun with sesame seeds.

Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes. Cool before serving.

Cook's Notes:

This recipe makes 16 large or 32 small buns.

For the dough to rise, preheat the oven to 150 degrees F (70 degrees C). When the oven is warm, turn it off and place the covered dough into the oven for 1 hour to rise.

Nutrition Facts (per serving)