Spirited Away’s Steamed Red Bean Buns

Instructions:

• Begin by making the red bean paste according to your preferred recipe (I used this recipe, it makes a large batch, but you can freeze the leftovers to use in other recipes) or use store-bought. Ensure it’s cooled completely before proceeding.
• In a large mixing bowl, dissolve 1 teaspoon of granulated sugar in 1/4 cup of lukewarm water. Stir in the active dry yeast and let it sit for about 15 minutes until the yeast foams up.
• Add lukewarm milk to the yeast mixture. Then incorporate the all-purpose flour, powdered sugar, and a pinch of salt. Using a dough hook attachment or kneading by hand, mix until the dough becomes soft and smooth, not sticking to the bowl or your hands.
• Cover the dough with plastic film and let it proof for about 1 hour in a warm spot until it doubles in size.
• Cut out six 3″x 3″ squares of parchment paper for the buns to sit on in the steamer.
• Roll 6 balls of red bean filling, each weighing approx 35g, and cover them with a damp towel to prevent drying.
• Divide the dough into 6 equal pieces and roll each into a disc. Place one ball of red bean filling in the center of each disc, gather the edges of the dough around the filling, and pinch the edges together to seal.
• Prepare your steamer with about 5 cups of warm water. Place the assembled buns, seam side down, on parchment squares in the steamer, ensuring they have at least 1 inch of space between them. Let them proof for 30 minutes in a lukewarm steamer, to help with proofing, but do not turn on the heat at this time.
• After proofing, turn on the heat to medium/high and steam the buns for 15 minutes with the lid tightly covered. DO NOT uncover the lid during this time (I know it’s tempting but don’t do it haha).
• After steaming for 15 minutes, turn off the heat and let the buns sit in the steamer with the lid covered for an additional 5 minutes to set. Again DO NOT uncover the lid during this time.
• After the final 5-minute timer goes off, carefully uncover the steamer and enjoy the steamed red bean buns. Be patient during the steaming and post-steaming process to ensure the buns retain their shape and texture. Enjoy!