hydrangea steamed buns

How to Make Steamed Flower Bread (绣球馒头)

Steamed flower bread, or绣球馒头, is a visually appealing Chinese steamed bun known for its vibrant colors and soft, fluffy texture. Here’s a simple guide to making it at home.

Ingredients: For the dough, you’ll need 500g all-purpose flour, 5g yeast, 250ml warm milk, 30g sugar, and a pinch of salt. For coloring, use natural ingredients like beetroot juice (red), spinach juice (green), and purple sweet potato paste (purple).

Steps:

1. Prepare the dough: Dissolve yeast and sugar in warm milk, let it sit for 5 minutes until frothy. Mix with flour and salt to form a smooth dough. Knead for 10 minutes until elastic, then cover and let it rise in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled in size.

2. Divide and color: Punch down the dough and split into 4 equal portions. Color each portion with natural juices/paste, kneading until evenly colored.

3. Shape the flower: Roll each colored dough into a long rope, about 2cm thick. Braid 4 ropes together (one of each color, or repeat colors for symmetry). Pinch the ends to seal and form a round "ball."

4. Proof and steam: Place the braided dough on parchment paper, let it proof for 20 minutes. Steam in a preheated steamer over medium-high heat for 15-20 minutes. Turn off the heat and let it sit for 5 minutes before opening the lid.

Tips: Ensure the dough is well-proofed for fluffiness. Natural colors may fade slightly, so adjust intensity as needed. Serve warm with soy milk or as a delightful snack.

Enjoy your homemade, beautiful, and tasty绣球馒头!