Ham and Cheese Buns, A Chinese Bakery Treat
User Reviews
5
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Prep Time
1 hr 30 mins
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Cook Time
20 mins
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Total Time
1 hr 50 mins
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Servings
12
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Calories
422 kcal
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Course
Baked Goods
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Cuisine
Chinese
Ham and Cheese Buns, A Chinese Bakery Treat
Description
Ham and Cheese Buns, A Chinese Bakery Treat features a yeast dough made with a combination of heavy cream, milk, egg, and both cake and bread flours to create a soft but structured bun. After the dough is kneaded and allowed to proof until it rises by roughly 1.5 times, it is punched down to remove air bubbles. The dough is then divided into 12 portions, each filled with a slice of ham and cheese before shaping and baking.
The dough's enriched texture comes from the dairy and egg, while the sugar gently sweetens the bread. Baking produces buns with a tender crumb and a slightly golden exterior, providing a soft but sturdy casing for the savory filling inside. The ham and cheese deliver a familiar, balanced flavor that pairs well with the light sweetness of the dough.
This treat is often enjoyed fresh as a snack or light meal and reflects popular flavors seen in Chinese-style bakeries. The recipe allows adjustments in flour based on availability, ensuring approachable preparation.
Ingredients
- 2/3 cup heavy cream (160 ml, at room temperature)
- 1 cup milk (plus 1 tablespoon, at room temperature; total 250 ml)
- 1 egg at room temperature, large
- 1/3 cup sugar (75g)
- 1/2 cup cake flour (70g)
- 3 1/2 cups bread flour (500g)
- 1 tablespoon active dry yeast (11g)
- 1 1/2 teaspoons salt (7g)
- 12 lices ham
- 12 lices cheese
- egg used for egg wash (whisked with water
- 2 teaspoons sugar (8g, dissolved in 2 teaspoons hot water to make simple syrup)
Instructions
- In the bowl of a mixer, add the heavy cream, milk, egg, sugar, cake flour, bread flour, yeast, and salt. Use the dough hook attachment, and turn on the mixer to “stir.” Let it go for 15 minutes, occasionally stopping the mixer to push the dough together. If you're in a humid climate and the dough is too sticky, feel free to add a little more flour 1/4 cup at a time until it comes together. If you don't have a mixer and would like to knead by hand, extend the kneading time by 5-10 minutes.
- After 15 minutes of mixing, the dough is ready for proofing. Cover the bowl with a damp towel and place in a warm spot for 1 hour. I proofed the dough in my oven (I had the oven on rapid proof for 5 minutes, turned the oven off, and then closed the oven door). The dough will grow to 1.5X its original size.
- After the hour of proofing, put the dough back in the mixer and stir for another 5 minutes to get rid of air bubbles. Dump the dough onto a lightly floured surface, and cut it into 12 equal pieces. Roll out each piece into a rough oval/rectangle shape, and lay the ham and cheese on top. Roll everything together into a log, and cut three slits into the top of each bun (about 1/2 inch deep). Continue assembling until all the buns are made. Cover with a clean, damp towel and allow to rise for another hour.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Brush the risen buns with egg wash and bake for 20-24 minutes until golden. Remove from the oven and brush the buns with sugar water to give them a really great shine, sweetness, and color.
Notes
- You can substitute all-purpose flour if cake flour or bread flour is unavailable, though texture may slightly vary.
- Ensure dairy ingredients are at room temperature to improve dough consistency.
- Proof the dough in a warm place until it grows by about 1.5 times for optimal rise.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 12Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 422 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 422kcal | 21% |
| Carbohydrates | 38g | 13% |
| Protein | 20g | 40% |
| Fat | 21g | 32% |
| Saturated Fat | 11g | 55% |
| Cholesterol | 81mg | 27% |
| Sodium | 823mg | 34% |
| Potassium | 196mg | 4% |
| Fiber | 1g | 4% |
| Sugar | 8g | 16% |
| Vitamin A | 530IU | 11% |
| Vitamin C | 0.1mg | 0% |
| Calcium | 245mg | 25% |
| Iron | 0.9mg | 5% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
5
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