This is a very simple recipe for Asian style sweet buns, they are so soft and tasty. The water roux method was used to accomplish the softness of the dough. I made the dough with the help of my Zojirushi bread machine, therefore it was very easy, simple and without mess…just let the machine do the work. It is great as a snack or as a breakfast treat.
Ingredients:
Water roux
75 ml of water
15 g of bread flour
Dough
2 cups bread flour
¾ teaspoon salt
1½ tablespoon sugar
1 tablespoon dry milk
1½ tablespoon butter
1½ teaspoon dry yeast
1 large egg and complete to 100 ml with water
1 can of red bean paste
Method:
Water roux
Mix flour and water in a small saucepan. Cook over low to medium heat, stirring constantly until it reaches 65ºC/149ºF. The mix will turn to a paste and you can see the bottom of the pan.
Remove from heat, cover with a saran wrap film over the paste and leave until lukewarm.
Dough
Add the water roux and all the dough ingredients to the bread machine bucket according to the manufacture’s guideline. I let the dough cycle run for 2 times, making sure that the dough reaches a thin membrane. The dough will be slightly sticky. Let is rise for approximately 2 hours in a cover container or until it double its initial volume.
Punch down, knead the dough and form into a ball shape. Then divide into 16 equal portions. Gently flat the balls and fill it with the red bean paste. Shape the buns and place all finished buns on a baking pan. Cover the buns with saran wrap film and let rise until double in size.
Bake in preheated 350°F oven for about 12 to 15 minutes, or until golden brown.
Did you know that red bean paste was originated in China? The red bean paste is also called Azuki bean paste and is widely used in Asian cuisine, the paste can be very smooth or chunky (pieces of beans).
