# **Chinese Cocktail Buns: A Culinary Delight**
Cocktail buns, also known as pineapple buns (菠蘿包, bo lo bao), are a popular dim sum delicacy that originated in Hong Kong. These sweet and savory pastries consist of a soft and fluffy bun filled with a sweet pineapple jam and topped with a crispy cookie-like crust. In this article, we'll delve into the art of making these delectable treats with two detailed recipes: one for the traditional pineapple cocktail buns and another for an indulgent chocolate-filled variation. Get ready to embark on a culinary journey that will tantalize your taste buds and leave you craving more.
### **Traditional Pineapple Cocktail Buns:**
The classic pineapple cocktail bun recipe starts with a simple dough made from flour, sugar, yeast, milk, eggs, and butter. This dough is then divided into individual portions, filled with a sweet pineapple jam, and shaped into round buns. The buns are then topped with a crispy cookie crumb mixture made from flour, sugar, and butter, which gives them their signature golden-brown crust.
### **Chocolate-Filled Cocktail Buns:**
For those who love chocolate, this recipe offers a delightful twist on the traditional cocktail bun. The dough is prepared in the same way as the pineapple bun recipe, but the filling is replaced with a rich and decadent chocolate ganache. The chocolate ganache is made by melting chocolate and cream together until smooth and creamy. The filled buns are then topped with the cookie crumb mixture and baked until golden brown.
Whether you prefer the classic pineapple filling or the indulgent chocolate ganache, these cocktail buns are sure to be a hit. They are perfect for breakfast, lunch, or as a sweet snack. So gather your ingredients, preheat your oven, and let's get baking!
COCONUT BUNS (CHINESE COCKTAIL BUNS)
Coconut buns, or cocktail buns (chicken tail buns) are a favorite at Chinese bakeries. This recipe is soft, fluffy, authentic, and incredibly easy to make.
Provided by Sarah
Categories Bread and Pizza
Time 3h15m
Number Of Ingredients 19
Steps:
- Start by making the bread dough, and be sure your ingredients are at room temperature. In the bowl of a mixer, add the heavy cream, milk, egg, sugar, cake flour, bread flour, yeast, and salt (in that order). Using the dough hook attachment, turn on the mixer at its lowest setting.
- Let it go for 15 minutes, occasionally stopping the mixer to push the dough together. (Note: if you're in a humid climate, and the dough is too sticky, add more flour ¼ cup at a time until the dough comes together). After 15 minutes, the dough is ready for proofing. Cover the bowl with a damp towel and place in a warm spot for 1 hour. The dough will grow to about 1.5X its original size.
- Meanwhile, prepare the filling by thoroughly combining all the filling ingredients in a bowl. Set aside.
- After the bread dough has proofed for an hour, put the dough back in the mixer and knead slowly for another 5 minutes to get rid of air bubbles. Dump the dough on a lightly floured surface and cut into 12 equal pieces.
- Flatten each piece of dough with your hands into a rough oval shape, about 4 inches long and 3 inches wide. Spread about a tablespoon of filling onto the middle of the dough, and roll it into a cigar, tucking the ends under the bun to completely seal the filling in. We like this method because it evenly distributes the filling throughout the bun.
- Transfer the buns to a parchment-lined baking sheet and cover with a clean kitchen towel. Allow to rise for another 45 minutes to an hour.
- Preheat your oven to 350 degrees. For the topping, mix together 1/3 cup cake flour, 3 tablespoons softened butter, and 4 ½ teaspoons caster sugar, and transfer to a piping bag or small zip top bag with a small corner cut off. Set aside.
- Once the buns have risen, brush with egg wash. Pipe two stripes of your topping mixture onto each bun, and sprinkle each with sesame seeds. Bake for 15-17 minutes until golden. Remove from the oven and brush with the sugar syrup.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 389 kcal, Carbohydrate 49 g, Protein 9 g, Fat 18 g, SaturatedFat 11 g, Cholesterol 57 mg, Sodium 401 mg, Fiber 2 g, Sugar 14 g, ServingSize 1 serving
CHINESE COCKTAIL BUNS
These cocktail buns are like the ones you get at Chinese bakeries. They are filled with a creamy coconut filling. Yum!
Provided by LIANG
Categories Bread Yeast Bread Recipes
Time 3h25m
Yield 32
Number Of Ingredients 14
Steps:
- Place 1/3 cup sugar and milk in a small saucepan, and stir until the sugar is dissolved. Add 1/4 cup softened butter, and gently warm the mixture until the butter melts and the mixture is warm but not hot (no warmer than about 100 degrees F (40 degrees C). In a large bowl, stir together the yeast with 2 1/2 cups flour until well blended, and pour the milk mixture into the flour-yeast mixture. Stir in 1 beaten egg, and mix until the mixture forms a sticky, wet dough.
- Turn the dough out onto a well-floured surface, and knead for about 10 minutes, gradually kneading in 1 cup of additional flour or as needed to make a smooth, elastic dough. Form the dough into a round ball, place into an oiled bowl, and turn the dough around in the bowl a few times to coat with oil. Cover the bowl with a cloth, and allow dough to rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour.
- Cream 1/4 cup softened butter with 1/2 cup of sugar in a bowl until the mixture is light and fluffy, and stir in dry milk powder, 1/2 cup flour, and the coconut until the mixture is smooth and well blended. Set the filling aside.
- Working on a floured surface, punch down the dough, and cut into 2 equal pieces. Cut each piece into 8 equal-sized pieces (16 pieces total). Form each piece into an oblong bun, and flatten the bun with a floured rolling pin. Scoop up about 1 tablespoon of filling with a spoon, and place in the center of a bun. Pull and pinch the edges of the dough together to enclose the filling in the bun. Repeat with all dough pieces, and place the filled buns, seam sides down, onto the prepared baking sheets. Cover the buns with a cloth, and allow to rise in a warm place 1 hour.
- Preheat an oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C). Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
- For a glossy coating, beat 1 egg in a bowl, and brush each bun with a little beaten egg. Sprinkle each bun with a few sesame seeds.
- Bake in the preheated oven until the buns are golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes. Allow to cool before serving.
Nutrition Facts : Calories 129.1 calories, Carbohydrate 19.1 g, Cholesterol 20.2 mg, Fat 4.5 g, Fiber 0.8 g, Protein 3.2 g, SaturatedFat 2.8 g, Sodium 39 mg, Sugar 6.8 g
Tips:
- To achieve the perfect bun shape, ensure the dough is properly rested and kneaded until smooth and elastic. This will help it rise evenly and give it a soft, fluffy texture.
- When filling the buns, don't overstuff them, as this can make them difficult to seal and may cause them to burst during steaming.
- To prevent the buns from sticking to the steamer, grease it lightly with oil or use parchment paper.
- Steaming time may vary depending on the size of your buns. Ensure you steam them until they are cooked through, but not for too long, as this can make them tough.
- For a shiny glaze, brush the buns with a simple syrup or honey water mixture before serving.
Conclusion:
Homemade Chinese cocktail buns are a delightful treat that combines the flavors of sweet and savory in a soft, fluffy bun. With careful attention to detail and the right techniques, you can create these delicious buns at home and impress your family and friends. Whether you enjoy them as a snack, breakfast, or part of a dim sum meal, these buns are sure to be a hit. So grab your apron and get ready to embark on a culinary journey to create these delightful treats in your own kitchen!
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