The Birthday Bun

'Sou Bao' 壽包 (Birthday Bun) is the Chinese birthday pastry made of flour with fillings such as red bean paste and lotus paste. This special bun are shaped and coloured to resemble peaches. This is my first time making this bun in conjunction with Dad's birthday. The bun was soft and fluffy once it was steamed. Yumz....

Ingredients

Bao Dough

500g pau flour, sifted

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tbsp instant yeast

90g castor sugar

240ml water

3 tbsp shortening

1 tbsp double action baking powder

Filling

ready made red bean paste

red colouring

Methods

1. Bao Dough: Mix all ingredients except double action baking powder together and knead into smooth and elastic dough.
2. Cover with a piece of wet cloth and leave to prove until it has doubled its bulk.
3. Sift double action baking powder on top of the dough and knead well to distribute the baking powder until the dough is smooth again.
4. Cover and allow to rest for 15 minutes before shaping.
5. Divide dough into small portions (any size you wish), wrap up filling and form into shape of birthday bun. Press a line in the center. Brush with a little red colouring.
6. Steam for 5-10 minutes until cooked. Serve hot.
   

Fluffy soft Sou Baos.

Made a gigantic Sou Baos specially for Dad. :)

Me posing this specially made Sou Bao for Dad.