The best buns you'll ever make

I have always been into baking. My obsession with baking increased since lockdown. It's on another level since I got my dream mixer (lol!). I've been baking non-stop for the past few weeks. Family and friends definitely got to enjoy delicious pastries from me. Today, I wanted to share an easy but delicious recipe for Chinese buns. The best part about this recipe is that you can pick any filling you desire (or even no filling). I found the original recipe on YouTube but I adjusted a few things and have perfected the recipe.

Ingredients for sponge dough:

• 2 cups bread-flour
• 1 tablespoon active instant yeast
• 2 tablespoons sugar
• 1/3 cup milk
• 1/3 cup warm water

Ingredients for main dough:

• 1 cup bread-flour
• 6 tablespoons sugar
• 2 medium eggs
• 1/2 stick butter

Directions:

• In the mixing bowl, combine warm water, milk, yeast, sugar
• Set the mixture aside to proof for 5 minutes
• After 5 minutes, add bread flour to the mixture and mix well using a spatula
• Turn on your mixer. Use the flat beater and mix the dough for 3 minutes on speed # 2
• You can do one of the following methods to proof the dough: Method # 1. If you have an instant pot, you can use the yogurt option. Put the dough in a container and put the container inside the pot. Select the yogurt option and set the timer for 1.5 hour. Method # 2: Turn the oven on for 1 minute (just enough to warm the oven). Put the dough back into the mixing bowl, cover the bowl with a warm towel, turn on the oven light and put the mixing bowl in the oven. Set the timer for 1.5 hour and do not oven the oven door (your oven should be off). After 1.5 hour, the dough should be double in size
• Combine all ingredients for main dough with the sponge dough in the mixing bowl
• Use the spiral dough hook and mix both mixtures for 5 minutes 
• Proof the dough the second time using the same method for an hour
• After an hour, you're ready to roll
• Divide the dough into 16 equal balls and start filling those delicious buns
• So far, I've made them with cream cheese, shredded pork filling or brush the outside with spring onion or cinnamon sugar. They all taste delicious.
• Roll out each ball into a circle. Put the filling in the middle of the circle. Fold dough over filling to meet in the center and pinch edges to seal.
• Place seam side down on a greased baking sheet. Cover and let rise in the oven once again for 30 minutes. Don't place them very close to each other. The buns will double in size after 30 minutes
• Mix one egg yolk with one teaspoon of water and brush the top of the buns with the egg mixture
• Bake at 350° for 7-10 minutes or until golden brown

There is nothing like a hot cream cheese filled bun when it comes fresh out of the oven. Sadly, they don't last very long in my household. Leave me a comment if you ended up making them.

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The best buns you'll ever make