Ingredients
Scale
- 3 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 cup warm milk
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 2 teaspoons instant yeast
- 2 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- Red food coloring (for the panda’s face and ears)
- Sweet black bean paste or custard filling (optional)
- Black sesame seeds or edible black accents for panda features
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, combine warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5 minutes until frothy.
- Add the all-purpose flour, vegetable oil, and baking powder. Knead until smooth and elastic, about 8-10 minutes.
- Divide the dough into two parts. Tint one with red food coloring to resemble Mei’s red panda face.
- Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- After rising, punch down the dough and roll into a flat sheet. Cut out round shapes with a cookie cutter or glass.
- Place a small amount of filling in each round, then pinch edges to seal and form small pouches.
- Create panda ears, eyes, and nose using small black dough pieces or food coloring, pressing black sesame seeds to detail the face.
- Line a steamer basket with parchment paper or cabbage leaves. Arrange buns, leaving space for expansion.
- Steam over boiling water for approximately 10 minutes until fluffy and cooked through. Optionally, use a crisping gadget for extra texture.
Notes
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat by steaming for 3-5 minutes or microwaving on low power.
- Freeze individually wrapped buns for longer storage; re-steam directly from frozen.
- You can customize fillings, including savory options like pork or chicken, for a different flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 10 minutes
- Category: Dessert, Snack
- Method: Steaming
- Cuisine: Chinese-Canadian
- Diet: Vegetarian (if fillings are vegetarian)
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bao bun
- Calories: 160 Kcal
- Sugar: 7g
- Sodium: 120mg
- Fat: 5g
- Saturated Fat: 1g
- Unsaturated Fat: 4g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 4g
- Cholesterol: 0mg