Description
These soft, pillowy red bean buns feature a vibrant green dough infused with matcha powder, offering a striking contrast to the sweet red bean filling inside.
Ingredients
Scale
- 300 g all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
- 40 g granulated sugar
- 5 g instant dry yeast
- 5 g fine sea salt
- 8 g culinary-grade matcha powder, divided
- 150 ml warm water (105-115°F / 40-45°C)
- 20 ml neutral oil, such as canola or sunflower oil
- 200 g sweet red bean paste (anko)
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, granulated sugar, instant dry yeast, sea salt, and 6g (1 tablespoon) of the matcha powder. Whisk thoroughly to ensure even distribution.
- Knead Dough: Gradually add the 150ml warm water and 20ml neutral oil to the dry mixture. Knead for 8-10 minutes until the dough becomes smooth, elastic, and a uniform vibrant green.
- First Proofing: Lightly oil a bowl, place the dough inside, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 60-90 minutes until roughly doubled in size.
- Divide and Shape Dough: Punch down the risen dough and divide it into 8 equal portions (approx. 60-65g each). Flatten each portion into a 10 cm circle.
- Fill and Seal Buns: Place 25g of sweet red bean paste in the center of each dough circle. Gather the edges and pinch tightly to seal the bun completely, then gently roll into a smooth ball.
- Second Proofing: Arrange the shaped buns on a parchment-lined baking tray. Cover loosely and let proof for another 30-45 minutes until puffed up.
- Bake Buns: Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Bake the buns for 15-18 minutes, looking for light golden edges and bottoms.
- Cool and Garnish: Remove from the oven and transfer to a wire rack to cool for 5-10 minutes. Dust the tops with the remaining 2g of matcha powder before serving.
Notes
Ensure yeast is fresh and water temperature is accurate (40-45°C) for optimal rise. Avoid overbaking the buns to maintain a soft texture. If proofing is slow, place the covered bowl in a warm location like near a sunny window or in a slightly warmed oven (38°C).
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: East Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bun (approx. 90 g)
- Calories: 250 calories
- Sugar: 15 g
- Sodium: 200 mg
- Fat: 3 g
- Saturated Fat: 0.5 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 2.5 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 55 g
- Fiber: 3 g
- Protein: 4 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: red bean bun, matcha, anko, sweet filling, baking, yeast dough, comfort food, snack, easy recipe, dessert