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4.6 from 15 votes

Char Siu Bao-Baked Buns Recipe

Super soft Tangzhong baked buns with Chinese Char Siu Pork as filling.

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
20 mins
Total Time
30 mins
Servings: 8
Calories: 246 kcal
Course: Dessert
Cuisine: Chinese

Ingredients

For the filling
  • 2 cups leftover char siu dices
  • 100 ml water
  • 1 tbsp. cornstarch
  • 1 tbsp. light soy sauce
  • 1 tbsp. oyster sauce
  • 1 tbsp. hoisin sauce
  • 1 tbsp. sugar
Roux
  • 20 g 2 tbsp. flour
  • 100 g 100ml water
Main dough
  • 195 g 1+1/2 cup bread flour
  • 90 g 3/4 cupcake flour
  • 6 g 2 tsp.instant yeast
  • 30 g 2 tbsp. sugar(or reduce to 10g for a salty bun)
  • 3 g 1/2 tsp.salt (or extra 3g for a salty bun)
  • 1 middle size egg
  • 80 g scant 1/4 cup milk
  • 45 g 3 and 1/2 tbsp.unsalted butter, softened under room temperature
Egg wash and decorating
  • 1 egg whisked + 1 tbsp. water
  • 1 teaspoon roasted sesame seeds
  • 1 tablespoon melted unsalted butter

Instructions

Water roux
    Cup of Yum
  1. In a small pan, mix flour with water and then keep stirring over slow fire until the mixture becomes thicker and thicker. And the lines of your spatula will not disappear directly. Remove from heat and cool down.
  2. Transfer the water roux (TangZhong Starter) mixture into a clean bowl and cover with plastic wrap and place in fridge at least overnight (I usually use around 2 days).
Filling
  1. Mix cornstarch with water and set aside for couple of minutes until well combined.
  2. In a small sauce pot, add starch water, oyster sauce, hoisin sauce, light soy sauce, sugar and heat over slowest fire until there are big bubbles. Then mix with the char siu dices.
  3. Cover the filling and place in fridge for 30 minutes.
Wrapper
  1. Before making the main dough, move the water roux to room temperature to set reset for around 30 minutes.Add all the ingredients including milk, egg and tangzhong into a breadmaker or a large mixing bowl. Then add the sugar, salt, flour and yeast. Knead the dough for around 10 minutes at slow speed. And add “butter “and continue kneading for another 10 minutes at medium speed. Then set aside and wait for the first proofing. In winter days, we might need hours until the dough is 2 to 2.5 times in size.
  2. Transfer the dough to a clean-floured operation board and then divide into 8 equal portions. If you plan to make smaller ones, you can choose 12 to 14 portions and round each one.
  3. Take one portion out, press down to a round wrapper. Scoop around 1 tablespoon Char Siu pork filling to the center. Seal the bun completely and then turn it over. Repeat the process to assemble all the other buns.
  4. Set aside for the second proofing until the buns are doubled in size again.
  5. Pre-heat the oven to 180 degree C. Brush egg wash and top with white sesame seeds.
  6. Bake for 18 to 20 minutes or until well golden brown colored.
  7. (optional) brushing some melt butter and serve after cooling down for several minutes.

Nutrition Information

Calories 246kcal (12%) Carbohydrates 37g (12%) Protein 6g (12%) Fat 7g (11%) Saturated Fat 4g (20%) Cholesterol 44mg (15%) Sodium 347mg (14%) Potassium 66mg (2%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 6g (12%) Vitamin A 240IU (5%) Calcium 25mg (3%) Iron 0.6mg (3%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 8Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 246

% Daily Value*

Calories 246kcal 12%
Carbohydrates 37g 12%
Protein 6g 12%
Fat 7g 11%
Saturated Fat 4g 20%
Cholesterol 44mg 15%
Sodium 347mg 14%
Potassium 66mg 1%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 6g 12%
Vitamin A 240IU 5%
Calcium 25mg 3%
Iron 0.6mg 3%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.