mantou chinese steamed buns

Ingredients mantou chinese steamed buns

1 2/3 cup all purpose floor
1 tbsp instant yeast
30 ml lukewarm water +/- 10 ml
1/2 tsp baking powder
1 tbsp cooking oil
40 grams sugar
2 grams salt
1/4 tsp baking soda (optional)

how to make mantou chinese steamed buns

Activate the yeast by combining the test with lukewarm water for about 5 minutes. The mixture will become milky and bubbly.

In a stand mixer, Add the flour, baking powder, salt and sugar. While mixing, slowly add the yeast mixture then milk/water slowly and in batches.

slowly add the booking oil

knead for 10-15 minutes as dough ball is formed. Watch dough carefully if its too hard add more water/milk, if to wet or sticky add flour. Dough ball should be smooth, soft and non-sticky.

in the mixing bowl, cover dough with plastic wrap and set it aside to rest for 45-60 minutes or until dough is doubled. If dough smells too sour, add a pinch of baking soda.

Knead dough for 5 minutes until it is smooth.

Place the dough on a floured workspace, cut into 2 halves.

Roll each half into a log about 1.5 inches in diameter. Flatten the log with a rolling pin.

Light brush some water on the flat dough. Starting from one side of the flat dough, tool the dough towards the other end to form a log.

Remove the ends of the log and cut the remaining log into 4 equal pieces our the size of your choice.

Repeat the previous 3 steps for the other half of the dough.

place each piece on a wax-paper-covered steamer

loosely cover dough with a dampened towel and let dough rise you're about 30 minutes. Dough should become 1.5 times its original size.

Stream the dough over boiling water for 12-15 minutes. Keep the lid on for another 5 minutes to prevent the buns from sagging.

Note: use milk instead of water if you wasn't the buns to be white.