Warm Cinnamon Honey Tea and Fish-Shaped Buns
Making Mini Fish-Shaped Buns and Cinnamon Honey Tea with 100% Pure Dongsu Bee Honey
Craving a warm and sweet treat to chase away the winter chill? This recipe will guide you through making two delightful mini fish-shaped bun variations, one filled with red bean paste and chewy rice cake, and the other with mugwort, all using 100% pure Dongsu Bee Acacia Honey. We’ll also whip up a fragrant cinnamon honey tea to perfectly complement these treats. Enjoy a cozy and satisfying homemade winter snack experience!
Ingredients- Dongsu Bee Acacia Honey
- Cake flour (2 bowls, 100g each)
- Room temperature milk (2 bowls, 200ml each)
- Room temperature eggs (2)
- Butter (2 portions, 30g each)
- Sugar (2 portions, 10g each)
- Baking powder (2 portions, 6g each)
- Salt (2 portions, 2g each)
- Red bean paste (generous amount)
- Rice cake (tteok, sliced)
- Mugwort powder (5g)
- Cinnamon powder
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
Before we dive into making the mini fish-shaped buns and cinnamon honey tea, let’s take a moment to appreciate our star ingredient: Dongsu Bee Honey. The Acacia honey, in particular, is 100% domestic Korean honey, packed with natural goodness. It’s a perfect winter staple, especially when maintaining good health is a priority!
Step 2
Now, let’s gather all the ingredients needed to create our two types of mini fish-shaped buns, featuring red bean paste and rice cake, alongside a soothing cup of cinnamon honey tea. Having everything prepped makes the cooking process smooth and enjoyable.
Step 3
Let’s start crafting these delightful winter treats! First, for the bun batter, take a bowl with 30g of butter. Place it in the microwave and heat for about 40 seconds, or until the butter is completely melted.
Step 4
Once the butter is melted, set it aside to cool down sufficiently. It’s important that the butter is only lukewarm, not hot, before adding it to the batter to ensure the best texture.
Step 5
In a clean mixing bowl, crack in 1 egg that has been left at room temperature for at least an hour. This ensures the egg incorporates smoothly into the batter.
Step 6
Using a whisk, gently beat the egg until it’s well combined. Avoid creating too much foam. While you’re at it, preheat your oven to 180°C (350°F). Ensuring the oven is fully preheated for at least 20 minutes is key for perfectly baked buns.
Step 7
To the beaten egg, add 10g of sugar and 2g of salt. Whisk again until these ingredients are thoroughly blended into the egg mixture.
Step 8
After adding the sugar and salt for sweetness and flavor balance, give the mixture another gentle stir to ensure everything is evenly distributed. You don’t need to overmix; just ensure the ingredients are combined.
Step 9
Next, pour in 200ml of lukewarm milk that has also been brought to room temperature. Using milk that is too cold or too hot can affect the batter’s consistency, so lukewarm is ideal.
Step 10
Sift 100g of cake flour and 6g of baking powder together directly into the mixing bowl. Sifting helps prevent lumps and results in a lighter, smoother batter.
Step 11
With a whisk or spatula, gently mix the sifted dry ingredients into the wet ingredients until just combined. Be careful not to overmix, as this can lead to tough buns. Mix only until no dry streaks of flour remain.
Step 12
Now, add the cooled, melted butter to the batter. Mix it in thoroughly until it’s fully incorporated, adding a wonderful richness and flavor.
Step 13
And there you have it – the basic batter for your fish-shaped buns is ready! See, that wasn’t too difficult, was it? You should have a smooth, luscious batter.
Step 14
We’re going to make these mini fish-shaped buns extra special by filling them with sweet red bean paste, chewy rice cake, and a drizzle of our delicious Dongsu Bee Honey!
Step 15
Slice the rice cake into small, bite-sized pieces. This will add a lovely chewy texture inside the buns.
Step 16
Lightly grease your mini fish-shaped bun molds with a bit of cooking oil. This step is crucial for ensuring the buns don’t stick and come out beautifully.
Step 17
Fill each mold with batter, only about one-third full. This leaves enough space for the delicious fillings.
Step 18
Spoon about 1 teaspoon of red bean paste into the center of the batter in each mold.
Step 19
Add a piece of the sliced rice cake on top of the red bean paste. This adds a delightful chewy contrast.
Step 20
Drizzle a little bit of the sweet honey over the fillings. The honey will melt and create a wonderful sweet surprise inside.
Step 21
Finally, cover the fillings completely by adding more batter until the mold is nearly full. Make sure the fillings are well-enclosed.
Step 22
Place the filled molds into the preheated oven and bake at 170°C (340°F) for about 30 minutes. Baking times and temperatures can vary slightly depending on your oven, so keep an eye on the buns and adjust as needed. They’re done when they turn a lovely golden brown.
Step 23
As they bake, you’ll see the buns puffing up, gradually transforming into delightful fish shapes. It’s always fascinating to watch them bake!
Step 24
Now, let’s make the special mugwort-flavored fish-shaped buns! The process is very similar to the basic ones, with just one extra ingredient added.
Step 25
When making the batter, simply sift in 5g of mugwort powder along with the flour. This will impart a subtle, earthy aroma and a beautiful green hue to your buns.
Step 26
Mix the mugwort powder into the batter until it’s fully incorporated, creating a lovely, vibrant green dough.
Step 27
For the mugwort buns, using mugwort-flavored rice cake (쑥절편) as filling is a perfect match! Follow the same filling process: half-fill with mugwort batter, add red bean paste, honey, and the mugwort rice cake, then cover with more batter and bake. Once baked, transfer the buns to a wire rack to cool completely.
Step 28
Time to prepare our fragrant and warming cinnamon honey tea! Pour your desired amount of Dongsu Bee Honey into a cup. We’re using mini cups today to match our mini buns!
Step 29
Add cinnamon powder to your taste. If you love a strong cinnamon flavor, feel free to add a bit more.
Step 30
Finally, pour in hot water and stir well until the honey and cinnamon powder are fully dissolved. Voila! Your sweet and aromatic cinnamon honey tea is ready. It’s the perfect comforting drink for a chilly day.
Step 31
Presenting your beautifully crafted mini fish-shaped buns alongside the comforting cinnamon honey tea creates an absolutely charming winter snack spread. It’s a feast for the eyes as well as the palate!
Step 32
These fish-shaped buns are generously filled with red bean paste, making them delightfully plump! They look almost ready to burst with deliciousness.
Step 33
With the chewy rice cake, smooth red bean paste, and the sweet burst of honey, these buns are a wonderfully satisfying and texturally diverse winter snack!
Step 34
Paired with a warm cup of cinnamon honey tea, even the coldest winter days feel cozy and bearable. It’s a truly comforting combination.
Step 35
We hope you’ll try making these homemade honey-filled fish-shaped buns and cinnamon honey tea to share warm and joyful moments with your loved ones this winter! *^^*
