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Custard Buns
5 from 594 votes

Custard Buns

Custard Buns combine a soft, yeast-based dough with a creamy custard filling made from custard powder, cornstarch, milk, butter, sugar, and egg. The buns rise before being shaped around a rich filling that is cooked on the stove until thickened. Steaming the buns creates a tender and fluffy texture, making them a comforting treat that balances the mild bread with the sweet custard center.

Prep Time
20 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
35 mins
Servings: 12
Calories: 167 kcal
Course: Breakfast, Appetizer, Snacks
Cuisine: Chinese

Ingredients

(BREAD DOUGH) BUN:
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup milk
  • 2 teaspoons yeast
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • ⅛ teaspoon salt
FILLING:
  • 1 tablespoon custard powder
  • ¼ cup corn starch
  • cup & 2 tablespoons milk
  • 2 tablespoons butter
  • ½ cup sugar
  • 1 egg
  • ***(Double the filling if you like more filling)

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. Put 1 cup of milk (at room temperature or warm them a little bit in a microwave, not too hot, just a little warm), 2 teaspoons of sugar, 2 teaspoons of yeast into a Bosch mixer bowl, mix a little bit and wait for 5 minutes.
  2. In the meanwhile, add ⅛ teaspoon of salt and 2 cups of all purpose flour in a bowl and mix it well. 
  3. After that, turn on #1 the lowest setting. Slowly add the flour mixture from step 2 into the mixer until the dough comes together. Then, turn on #3 middle high setting. Let the mixer run for 5 minutes.
  4. Next, take the dough out and cover the dough with a wet cloth. Let it rise around 30-45 minutes at room temperature. (My trick to speed up dough rising time is to preheat the oven at 200F then turn off. After that, put the dough in the oven and cover with a wet cloth for 15-20 minutes.)
  5. While waiting for the dough to rise, let's work on the filing. I love more filling, so I double up the filling ingredients. Pour 1 cup & 4 tablespoons of milk, 4 tablespoons of butter, 2 eggs, 1 cup of sugar, 2 tablespoons of custard powder and ½ cup of cornstarch into a saucepan.  
  6. Whisk and mix it very well. 
  7. Then, turn on the fire small and keep stirring it. 
  8. Until it thickens and let it cool down a little bit.
  9. At the same time, cut 12 pieces of parchment paper into square or rectangle shape. 
  10. Divide custard filling into 12 pieces, roll it like a ball. 
  11. After the dough rises it doubles. 
  12. Divide the dough into 12 pieces and roll it like a ball. 
  13. Roll the bread dough and flatten it by using a rolling pin. (The sides are thinner, the middle is thicker.)
  14. Place the filling in the middle of the flattened bread dough. 
  15. Close it and roll it like a ball. After that, place the buns on the parchment papers. Cover with a damp cloth. Let it rise for 15-20 minutes. 
  16. After that, place the buns into a bamboo steamer.
  17. Pour 10 cups of water into the steamer and turn on high fire. When the water boils, put the bamboo steamer in and steam it for 15 minutes.

Notes

  • Use a gently warmed oven to speed up dough rising by placing the covered dough inside for about 15-20 minutes.
  • Double the filling ingredients if a richer custard center is preferred, yielding around 10-12 buns depending on size.
  • Place small pieces of parchment paper under each bun to prevent sticking to the bamboo steamer during cooking.

Nutrition Information

Calories 167kcal (8%) Carbohydrates 30g (10%) Protein 4g (8%) Fat 3g (5%) Saturated Fat 2g (10%) Cholesterol 24mg (8%) Sodium 60mg (3%) Potassium 80mg (2%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 10g (20%) Vitamin A 111IU (2%) Calcium 31mg (3%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 12 Serving

Amount Per Serving

Calories 167

% Daily Value*

Calories 167kcal 8%
Carbohydrates 30g 10%
Protein 4g 8%
Fat 3g 5%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Cholesterol 24mg 8%
Sodium 60mg 3%
Potassium 80mg 2%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 10g 20%
Vitamin A 111IU 2%
Calcium 31mg 3%
Iron 1mg 6%

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