Description
Soft and fluffy Chinese steamed buns, known as Mantou, made from simple ingredients like milk, yeast, sugar, and flour. These buns are perfect as a versatile side or snack, steamed to perfection for a light and pillowy texture.
Ingredients
For the Dough
- 1 cup milk
- 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
- 2 1/2 tablespoons sugar
- 350 g (12 oz) all-purpose flour
Instructions
- Activate Yeast: Add the milk, yeast, and sugar to the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook. Stir the mixture with chopsticks or a spoon to combine and activate the yeast.
- Knead Dough: Add the flour to the yeast mixture. Turn the mixer to speed 1 and knead until a smooth dough forms, about 6 minutes. If the dough climbs up the dough hook, stop the mixer and push the dough down.
- Rest Dough: Transfer the dough out, cover it with plastic wrap, and let it rest for 5 minutes to relax the gluten.
- Roll Dough: On a lightly floured surface, roll the dough from bottom to top, then turn it horizontally and roll again. Continue until it forms a 14×10″ (35cm x 25cm) rectangle.
- Shape Dough Log: Roll up the dough into a tight log from left to right, tucking it in as you go to form a compact log.
- Smooth and Lengthen: Roll out the log a few times until the surface is smooth and it reaches about 12 inches (30 cm) in length.
- Divide Dough: Cut the dough log into 8 equal pieces using a sharp knife. Place each piece on a 3×4-inch (7 cm x 10 cm) piece of parchment paper. Optionally roll each into a round ball.
- Proof Dough: Place the dough pieces with parchment paper into a steamer, cover, and let them rise for 60 minutes until they have doubled in size. Leave enough space between them to prevent sticking.
- Prepare Steamer: Add water to the bottom of the steamer. Optionally add 1 teaspoon of Chinese white vinegar to the water to help the buns maintain a white color. Cover the steamer tightly.
- Steam Buns: Turn on high heat and steam the dough for 10-12 minutes until the buns puff up and become soft and fluffy. Turn off heat and serve warm. Optionally dip in condensed milk for a sweet touch.
Notes
- Ensure your yeast is fresh and activated properly with warm milk to help the dough rise well.
- Do not open the steamer during cooking to avoid buns from collapsing.
- The vinegar added to the steaming water helps improve the whiteness of the buns without affecting flavor.
- These steamed buns are best enjoyed fresh but can be stored in an airtight container and reheated by steaming again.
- Use parchment paper under each bun to prevent sticking to the steamer basket.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 12 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Steaming
- Cuisine: Chinese
