Coconut Buns (椰丝餐包)
椰丝餐包, or Coconut Buns, are a popular and delicious bakery item often found in Chinese bakeries. They consist of soft, sweet bread filled with a moist and flavorful coconut filling. Making these buns at home can be a delightful baking project. Here’s how you can create your own Coconut Buns.
Ingredients
For the Bread Dough:
- 2 3/4 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1 tablespoon yeast
- 1/2 cup warm milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter softened
For the Coconut Filling:
- 1 cup desiccated coconut
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 egg for egg wash
Instructions
Prepare the Bread Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt, and yeast.
- Add the warm milk and eggs to the dry ingredients and mix until a dough forms.
- Knead in the softened butter until the dough is smooth and elastic. This might take about 10 minutes by hand or 5 minutes in a mixer with a dough hook.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place until it doubles in size, about 1-2 hours.
Make the Coconut Filling:
- In a bowl, mix together the desiccated coconut, sugar, and milk to form the filling.
Shape the Buns:
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down and turn it out onto a floured surface.
- Divide the dough into equal portions, rolling each into a ball.
- Flatten each ball into a disc, place a spoonful of coconut filling in the center, then bring the edges together and pinch to seal.
- Place the filled buns seam side down on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Cover them and let them rise for another 30-45 minutes.
Preheat the Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F).
Apply Egg Wash and Bake:
- Lightly beat the remaining egg and brush the tops of the buns with it.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 15-20 minutes, or until the buns are golden brown.
Serve:
- Remove the buns from the oven and let them cool slightly before serving.
