Black Sesame Steamed Buns (黑芝麻包) are soft, fluffy buns filled with a rich and velvety molten black sesame paste. This traditional Chinese dessert is popular in dim sum and features a warm, sweet, and slightly nutty filling encased in a light, pillowy dough. The buns are steamed to perfection, creating a delightful contrast between the smooth filling and airy texture of the dough.
Ingredients:
For the Dough:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tsp instant dry yeast
- 1/2 tsp baking powder
- 1/4 cup warm water (about 110°F/43°C)
- 1/4 cup milk
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1/2 tsp vanilla extract
- A pinch of salt
For the Black Sesame Filling:
- 1/2 cup black sesame seeds
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 tbsp honey or maple syrup
- 1/4 cup coconut milk (or regular milk)
- 1 tbsp unsweetened peanut butter or sesame paste (optional for extra creaminess)
- A pinch of salt
Directions:
- Prepare the Black Sesame Filling:
- Toast the black sesame seeds in a dry skillet over medium heat for about 2-3 minutes, until fragrant. Be careful not to burn them.
- Once toasted, grind the sesame seeds in a food processor or mortar and pestle until you have a smooth paste.
- In a small saucepan, combine the sesame paste, sugar, honey (or maple syrup), coconut milk, and a pinch of salt. Stir over medium heat until the mixture is smooth and slightly thickened. If you prefer a richer filling, you can add the peanut butter or sesame paste for extra creaminess.
- Let the filling cool slightly, then chill in the refrigerator for about 15-20 minutes to firm up before using.
- Make the Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, sugar, instant dry yeast, baking powder, and salt.
- In a separate bowl, mix the warm water, milk, vegetable oil, and vanilla extract.
- Gradually add the wet ingredients to the dry ingredients and stir until a dough forms.
- Knead the dough for about 5-7 minutes on a lightly floured surface until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
- Assemble the Buns:
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into 8-10 equal portions.
- Roll each portion into a small ball and flatten it into a disk about 3 inches (8 cm) wide.
- Place a teaspoon of the chilled black sesame filling in the center of each dough disk.
- Carefully fold the edges of the dough over the filling to seal it, pinching the edges together tightly to form a smooth, round bun. Repeat for the remaining buns.
- Place the buns on small squares of parchment paper to prevent them from sticking to the steamer.
- Steam the Buns:
- Prepare a steamer by filling it with water and bringing it to a boil.
- Arrange the buns in the steamer, making sure they are not touching each other.
- Steam the buns over medium-high heat for about 12-15 minutes, or until they are puffed up and cooked through.
- If you have multiple batches, make sure to allow the steamer to reheat between batches.
- Serve:
- Remove the buns from the steamer and let them cool slightly before serving.
- Enjoy the soft, fluffy buns with the delicious molten black sesame filling!
These black sesame steamed buns are a delightful treat, perfect for dessert or as a special snack. Their rich, nutty filling contrasts beautifully with the light, airy dough, creating a mouthwatering bite every time!
