This was inspired by tang yuan a dessert served especially during Chinese New Year. This bun requires a simple list of ingredients and some dedicated time. But your efforts will be rewarded with a white fluffy bun with a sweet black sesame filling.
The equipment and ingredients sections contain affiliate links to products I love to use as well as items that I personally believe make this recipe the best version of itself.
Ingredients
Black Sesame Filling
40 gramsblack sesame seeds, roasted (⅓ cup)
40 gramssugar (¼ cup)
30gramsmelted butter (2 tbsp)
5piecespecans (optional)
Bun Dough
1grambaking powder (¼ teaspoon)
1graminstant yeast (¼ teaspoon)
120gramsall-purpose flour (1 cup)
20gramssugar (2 tbsp)
80gramswarm water (⅓ cup)
Instructions
Make Filling
In a grinder, pulse sugar, nuts, and black sesame seed for 20 seconds
Put the ground mixture in a bowl
Add melted butter, then mix until well incorporated
Let sit in the refrigerator to cool for 30 minutes
After 30 minutes, form balls weighing between 14-18 grams (should make about 6), put the balls back in the fridge to rest
Make Dough
Put dry ingredients in bowl and mix
Add warm water, a little at a time until small clumps form
Keep pressing clumps of dough together until a big ball forms and flour no longer sticks to the sides of the bowl; add more water as needed
Put dough ball on a flat surface and knead nonstop for 8 minutes
After 8 minutes, roll out the dough into a log and cut into 6 individual pieces weight about 35 grams
Make into small round balls and set aside under cling wrap or damp tea towel
Make the Bun
Take dough and flatten by using rolling pin, then roll out the edges while keeping the center thicker than the outside edges
Take a black sesame filling and place it on the center of the dough
Wrap the dough around the filling and close by twisting off a piece dough at the closure
Place the bun on a square piece of parchment paper
Repeat the wrapping steps 5 more times
Place the buns in a steamer and cover, then proof for 40 minutes
Steam Buns
Fill a pot with water and bring to a boil
Place the steamer of buns on top of boiling water
Steam for 5 minutes
Remove from heat and place on counter to let rest for 2 minutes
Enjoy!
Disclaimer: Nutritional values were calculated with the Spoonacular Food API and should be used for informational purposes only.
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