Steam Bao Buns
Super easy, fluffy, kid-approved bao buns
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup warm water
- 1/2 cup warm milk
- 1 tbsp active, dry yeast
- 4 tbsp sugar, split in half
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 2 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 tsp salt
Instructions
- Combine water, milk, yeast, oil, and 2 tbsp sugar into a cup. Stir until dissolved or well combined. Then allow the yeast to proof for 5 - 10 minutes.
- Meanwhile, combine the dry ingredients into mixer: flour, baking powder, salt, and other remaining 2 tbsp sugar.
- After yeast has activated, pour the wet ingredients into the dry. Put the mixer on low speed until ingredients combined. Then switch the mixer on medium speed until it starts to form a dough. Then keep it kneading for an extra 3-5 minutes. The dough should be smooth and not sticking to your finger.
- Take dough out of the bowl and off the hook. Fold it a few times and form a ball. Place the dough ball back into the mixer cover with saran wrap for 2 hours or until the dough has doubled in size.
- Dump the raised dough on a lightly floured working surface. Roll the dough out 1/4 inch thick. Cut the dough out with a mason jar lid. I was able to yield 14-16 buns with this recipe.
- Lightly brush one side of the buns with vegetable oil, fold them in half, gently press rolling pin down on buns, and let them rest on parchment paper covered with dish towel for 20 minutes.
- Meanwhile, bring a pot of water to a boil. Place the steamer with coffee filter lined paper in it (slightly wet) and arrange the buns about 2 inches apart. Make sure the water does not touch the steamer. Let the buns steam for about 10 minutes. Afterwards, let them cool for 5 minutes and take them off the filters. Enjoy them as sandwiches or eat them by themselves