1. Recipes

How to Make Chinese Cocktail Buns - A Step-by-Step Guide

Chinese Cocktail Buns, also known as "gaai mei bao" in Cantonese, are a popular Chinese bakery item that can be enjoyed as a snack or dessert. These sweet buns are filled with a rich, buttery filling and topped with a sweet coconut topping that adds a delightful crunch. Chinese Cocktail Buns are a beloved treat in Hong Kong and can be found in many Chinese bakeries around the world.

The buns themselves are soft and fluffy, making them the perfect vehicle for the decadent filling and toppi...

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Ingredients

  • ⅓ cup white sugar
  • 1 cup milk
  • ¼ cup softened butter
  • 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
  • 2 ½ cups all-purpose flour
  • 1 egg, beaten (Optional)
  • 1 cup all-purpose flour, or more if needed
  • ¼ cup softened butter
  • ½ cup white sugar
  • ½ cup nonfat dry milk powder
  • ½ cup all-purpose flour
  • 1 cup finely grated fresh coconut
  • 1 egg (Optional)
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds, for garnish (Optional)

Information

  • Prep Time: 45 mins
  • Cook Time: 10 mins
  • Additional Time: 2 hrs 30 mins
  • Total Time: 3 hrs 25 mins
  • Servings: 32
  • Yield: 32 buns

  • Place 1/3 cup sugar and milk in a small saucepan, and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Add 1/4 cup softened butter, and gently warm the mixture until the butter melts and the mixture is warm but not hot (no warmer than about 100 degrees F (40 degrees C). In a large bowl, stir together the yeast with 2 1/2 cups flour until well blended, and pour the milk mixture into the flour-yeast mixture. Stir in 1 beaten egg, and mix until the mixture forms a sticky, wet dough.
  • Turn the dough out onto a well-floured surface, and knead for about 10 minutes, gradually kneading in 1 cup of additional flour or as needed to make a smooth, elastic dough. Form the dough into a round ball, place into an oiled bowl, and turn the dough around in the bowl a few times to coat with oil. Cover the bowl with a cloth, and allow dough to rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
  • Cream 1/4 cup softened butter with 1/2 cup of sugar in a bowl until the mixture is light and fluffy, and stir in dry milk powder, 1/2 cup flour, and the coconut until the mixture is smooth and well blended. Set the filling aside.
  • Working on a floured surface, punch down the dough, and cut into 2 equal pieces. Cut each piece into 8 equal-sized pieces (16 pieces total). Form each piece into an oblong bun, and flatten the bun with a floured rolling pin. Scoop up about 1 tablespoon of filling with a spoon, and place in the center of a bun. Pull and pinch the edges of the dough together to enclose the filling in the bun. Repeat with all dough pieces, and place the filled buns, seam sides down, onto the prepared baking sheets. Cover the buns with a cloth, and allow to rise in a warm place 1 hour.
  • Preheat an oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
  • For a glossy coating, beat 1 egg in a bowl, and brush each bun with a little beaten egg. Sprinkle each bun with a few sesame seeds.
  • Bake in the preheated oven until the buns are golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes. Allow to cool before serving.

    • Nutrition

    129 cal.

    • Total Fat: 5g
    • Saturated Fat: 3g
    • Cholesterol: 20mg
    • Sodium: 39mg
    • Total Carbohydrate: 19g
    • Dietary Fiber: 1g
    • Total Sugars: 7g
    • Protein: 3g
    • Vitamin C: 0mg
    • Calcium: 41mg
    • Iron: 1mg
    • Potassium: 85mg

    Categories

    Sweet recipes
    Bread recipes
    Chinese recipes
    Dessert recipes
    Pastry recipes