Warm and Cozy Homemade Steamed Buns (Hoppang)
Making Soft Red Bean Steamed Buns (Hoppang) at Home
Baking can seem daunting, but why not try making warm, fluffy steamed buns (Hoppang) right in your own kitchen? These homemade treats, fresh from the steamer, are the perfect winter snack with their comforting texture and sweet red bean filling.
Dough Ingredients- 200g Low-gluten flour (for a tender crumb)
- 100g Bread flour (for a chewier texture)
- 4g Instant dry yeast
- 4g Baking powder (helps the dough rise)
- 2-3 Tbsp Sugar (adjust to your sweetness preference)
- 1/2 tsp Salt (enhances flavor and balances sweetness)
- 20g Unsalted butter, softened (at room temperature)
- Approx. 80g Warm water (adjust based on dough consistency)
Cooking Instructions
Step 1
First, prepare 200g of low-gluten flour. This will contribute to the tender texture of your steamed buns.
Step 2
Next, measure out 100g of bread flour. Using bread flour will give your hooppang a pleasant chewy bite.
Step 3
Measure 4g of instant dry yeast and 4g of baking powder. These are crucial for making the dough rise beautifully.
Step 4
Add 2 tablespoons of sugar as a base; you can increase it to 3 tablespoons if you prefer a sweeter taste. Use about 1/2 teaspoon of salt to enhance the overall flavor of the dough.
Step 5
Sift the low-gluten and bread flours into a mixing bowl. Place the sugar, salt, yeast, and baking powder around the edges of the bowl. (It’s best to keep the yeast and salt from directly touching each other initially.)
Step 6
Melt 20g of butter. You can do this gently in a microwave or over low heat.
Step 7
Prepare about 80g of warm water. The ideal temperature is when it feels comfortably warm to the touch, around 35-40°C (95-104°F). Gradually add the water to the flour mixture while kneading, adjusting the amount as needed to achieve the right dough consistency.
Step 8
Combine all the ingredients in the bowl and knead until a cohesive dough forms. It might seem sticky at first, but keep kneading until it becomes smooth and elastic. Divide the dough into 6 equal portions. (This recipe yields approximately 6 steamed buns.)
Step 9
For the filling, store-bought red bean paste is convenient. If you’re making your own, prepare it in advance and chill it. Divide the red bean paste into 6 portions and roll them into balls; this makes filling the buns much easier later on.
Step 10
Take one portion of the dough, flatten it into a disc, and place one ball of red bean paste in the center.
Step 11
Carefully gather the edges of the dough to enclose the red bean paste completely, pinching the seams tightly shut to prevent the filling from leaking out. Reshape it into a smooth ball. Repeat this process for all 6 portions of dough to create your hooppang.
Step 12
Place the shaped hooppang onto pieces of parchment paper, spaced apart, on a steamer rack. Cover the steamer with a lid or a damp cloth and let the buns proof in a warm place for about 30 minutes. They should puff up slightly.
Step 13
Once the water in your steamer is boiling, carefully place the proofed hooppang inside. Steam over medium heat for 10 to 15 minutes, and your delicious homemade steamed buns are ready to enjoy! They are best served warm.
