Chinese Cocktail Buns

Ingredients

• cup milk
• 1/3 cup white sugar
• 1/2 cup butter, softened, divided
• cup sall-purpose flour, or more as needed, divided
• tablespoon active dry yeast
• large eggs, divided (Optional)
• 1/2 cup white sugar
• cup finely grated fresh coconut
• 1/2 cup nonfat dry milk powder
• tablespoon sesame seeds, for garnish (Optional)

Instructions

1. Place milk and ⅓ cup sugar in a small saucepan; stir until sugar is dissolved. Add ¼ cup butter; gently heat mixture until butter melts and mixture is warm but not hot no more than 100 degrees F (40 degrees C).
2. Whisk 2 ½ cups flour and yeast together until well combined; stir in milk mixture. Beat 1 egg in a small bowl; stir into flour mixture until forms a sticky, wet dough. Turn dough out onto a well floured surface; knead for about 10 minutes, gradually kneading in 1 cup more flour, or as needed, to make a smooth, elastic dough.
3. Form dough into a round ball, place into an oiled bowl and turn to coat. Cover bowl with a cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
4. Beat ½ cup sugar and remaining ¼ cup butter in a bowl until light and fluffy; stir in coconut, milk powder, and remaining ½ cup flour until smooth and combined. Set filling aside. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.
5. Punch down dough on a floured surface; cut into 2 equal pieces.
6. Cut each piece into 8 equal sized pieces (16 pieces total).
7. Form each piece into an oblong shape; flatten with a floured rolling pin.
8. Spoon about 1 tablespoon filling in center of 1 flattened dough piece.
9. Pull and pinch edges of dough together to enclose filling; place buns seam side down onto a prepared baking sheet.
10. Repeat with remaining filling and flattened dough pieces.
11. Cover buns with a cloth; let rise in a warm place for 1 hour.
12. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).
13. Beat remaining 1 egg in a bowl; brush on each bun for a glossy coating. Sprinkle each bun with sesame seeds.
14. Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes. Cool before serving.

Tips

This recipe makes 16 large or 32 small buns. For the dough to rise, preheat the oven to 150 degrees F (70 degrees C). When the oven is warm, turn it off and place the covered dough into the oven for 1 hour to rise.