Homemade Bao Buns

Serves make 8 buns

Time 30 minutes plus proving

Ingredients

600g self-raising flour 

2 tbsp castor sugar

¼ cup skim milk powder

1 tbsp active dry yeast

1 tsp baking soda

1½ cups warm water

⅓ cup vegetable oil 

1 tsp sesame oil (optional)

Method

Place all dry ingredients together in a bowl and mix. Add water and oil into the bowl then mix gently with your hands. Once the dough comes together, remove the dough onto a board and knead for 30 seconds to 1 minute.

Place the dough back into the same bowl and cover it with plastic wrap. Place the bowl in a warm place and allow it to prove for 1 hour, or until the dough doubles in size. 

Bring the dough to the board again and cut it into 8 pieces. Roll each piece into balls and place it on a baking tray, cover with plastic wrap again and prove for 30 minutes.

Flatten the dough with a rolling pin until the dough becomes a flat, long oval shape. Rub or brush some oil on one side of the dough, then fold the oily side together. Place a baking sheet under dough and allow it to rest again for 30 minutes.

Steam the buns for 5 minutes and enjoy with your favourite fillings.