Baked Filled Buns

Name: Baked Filled Buns
Yield: makes 32 small or 16 medium buns
Ingredients: 10 tablespoons whole milk; 4 tablespoons butter or canola oil; 2 teaspoons rapid-rise (instant) dry yeast; 2 1/2 tablespoons lukewarm water; 1 large egg; 2 1/2 tablespoons sugar; 12 1/2 ounces (2 1/2 cups) bleached or unbleached all-purpose flour, plus more as needed; 1 1/3 cups Char Siu Pork Bun Filling (page 100), Vegetable and Tofu Bun Filling (page 101), or Curried Chicken Bun Filling (page 102) for savory buns or 1 1/3 cups Sweetened Red Bean Paste (page 203) or Sweetened Mung Bean Paste (page 204) for sweet buns; 1 large egg, lightly beaten; 2 tablespoons honey mixed with 1 tablespoon warm water

December 9, 2011

Baked buns, called guk bau in Cantonese, are a wonderful southern Chinese creation. They can be filled with a whole host of things, including sweet bean pastes and savory preserved pork shreds. Some have a crumbly crust that’s akin to coffee cake topping. My favorite renditions are slightly shiny and sticky from having been brushed with a lightly sweet honey glaze. Whatever the filling inside, whether it is spicy chicken curry, roast pork, vegetables, or bean pastes, you can’t lose. Commercially produced Chinese baked buns are nearly cloying and super soft, whereas these have a delicate flavor and texture resembling that of challah.

Recipe notes

Mango Sticky Rice

Khao niaow ma muang, or steamed coconut sticky rice with ripe mango, is a classic in Thai cuisine—and you can make it at home.

Popover-Topped Pot Pie

A lofty popover replaces pie crust in this vegetarian pot pie filled with potatoes, carrots, celery, peas, and asparagus.

Easy Egg Custard

With just a handful of ingredients, this old-fashioned egg custard is the little black dress of dinner party desserts—simple and effortlessly chic.

Simple Hot Cocoa for One

With rich chocolate flavor and easy customization, this hot cocoa recipe is just the one you want to get you through winter.

Béchamel Sauce

This classic 15-minute sauce is your secret weapon for homemade mac and cheese, chowder, lasagna, and more.

Smoked Salmon Pasta With Capers and Dill

Cured fish, cream, and lemon make an elegant base for this unexpected one-pot pasta.

Spicy Honey Orange Shrimp (Xiang La Fengmi Xia)

A satisfying weeknight dinner from Tiffy Chen. Serve with rice or noodles.

Dulce de Leche

Make this versatile caramel at home with our slow-simmered method using milk and sugar—or take one of two sweetened condensed milk shortcuts.