panda bean paste buns

How to Make Red Bean Paste Buns (Panda Buns)

Red bean paste buns, or "panda buns" for their cute panda-like appearance, are a beloved Chinese snack. Here’s a simple guide to making them at home.

Ingredients: For the dough: 300g all-purpose flour, 3g yeast, 15g sugar, 150ml warm water, 10g oil. For the filling: 200g cooked red beans, 50g sugar, pinch of salt.

Steps:

1. Prepare the dough: Mix flour, yeast, and sugar. Gradually add warm water and oil, knead into a smooth dough. Let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled in size.

2. Make the filling: Mash cooked red beans, add sugar and salt. Stir over low heat until thick. Cool completely.

3. Shape the buns: Punch down the dough, divide into small balls. Flatten each, wrap a spoonful of filling, and pinch edges to seal. Roll a small piece of dough into a "nose" and two tiny pieces for "ears," attach to the bun.

4. Steam: Place buns on parchment paper in a steamer. Let them rest for 15 minutes, then steam over medium heat for 15 minutes. Turn off heat and let them sit for 5 minutes before serving.

These fluffy, sweet buns are perfect for breakfast or afternoon tea. Enjoy your homemade panda buns!