Milky Red Bean Paste Buns（奶香豆沙小馒头）

In China, there's a popular delicacy known as Milky Red Bean Paste Buns. These small, bite-sized treats have a sweet and soft texture that is loved by both children and the elderly. The ingredients are simple, and you can easily make them at home.

If you want to try making milky red bean paste buns at home, there are a few things you need to know. Understanding the following points will be very helpful in making this delicious treat.

1. About Milky Red Bean Paste Buns

Milky Red Bean Paste Buns are very similar to Man Tou with bean paste filling, but Milky Red Bean Paste Buns are flavored with milk.

2. How to Make Red Bean Paste?

Red bean paste is primarily made from red beans, cooked until soft, then mashed and mixed with white sugar. There are two main ways to get red bean paste:

Buying pre-made red bean paste:This is the most convenient method. You can find it in large supermarkets or Asian grocery stores. I personally use store-bought paste.

Making red bean paste at home:Here's a simple method:

Prepare the red beans:First, wash the red beans thoroughly, then soak them for a while to allow them to absorb water and soften.

Cook the red beans:Place the soaked red beans in a pot with plenty of water. Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to low heat and simmer until the beans are soft.

Blend the red beans:Transfer the cooked beans in batches to a blender or food processor. Add a suitable amount of water and blend into a smooth paste.

Cook the paste:Pour the blended red bean paste into a non-stick pan, add white or brown sugar to taste, and cook over low heat, stirring constantly to evaporate excess water and thicken the paste.

Cool and store:Once cooked, let the red bean paste cool. It can be stored in portions. For short-term use, refrigerate. For long-term storage, freeze it.

3. When to Add the Milk?

Adding milk is an important step when making Milky Red Bean Paste Buns. Usually, milk is added in place of water when mixing the dough. This ensures that the milk fully integrates with the flour, resulting in buns with a better texture and flavor.

Of course, if you don't like milk or are allergic to it, you can substitute water for milk. As long as the steps are followed correctly, the buns will still be delicious.

4. How to Knead the Dough Until Smooth and Silky?

As we all know, the quality of the dough is crucial for any type of pastry, as it directly affects the texture of the final product. When making Milky Red Bean Paste Buns, the dough is equally important. Here are some key points to consider:

1. Ratio of flour to milk:The ratio should be 2:1, meaning 200g of flour to 100g of milk.

2. Mixing the dough:Before kneading, mix the yeast with the milk thoroughly. Then, gradually add the flour while stirring until well combined.

3. Let the dough rest:After kneading the dough, let it rest for 20-30 minutes. This resting period allows the dough to become more fluffy and soft, resulting in a finer texture and better taste.

Following these steps will help ensure your dough is smooth and silky, perfect for making delicious Milky Red Bean Paste Buns.

5. Choosing the Right Flour

There are many types of flour, each with different properties. When making Milky Red Bean Paste Buns, you should use all-purpose flour, which has a protein content of about 11%. All-purpose flour is suitable for making Chinese pastries such as noodles, steamed buns, and dumplings.

Now that you have a comprehensive understanding of Milky Red Bean Paste Buns, let's try making them together. Don't worry, just follow my steps one by one, and you'll be successful.