Matcha Red Bean Buns (Printable Version)
Soft green tea buns filled with sweet red bean paste, perfect for breakfast or snacks
# What You'll Need:
→ Dough
01 - 3 cups bread flour
02 - 2 tablespoons matcha green tea powder
03 - 1/4 cup granulated sugar
04 - 2 teaspoons instant yeast
05 - 1/2 teaspoon salt
06 - 1 cup whole milk, lukewarm
07 - 1 large egg, room temperature
08 - 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
→ Filling
09 - 1 cup sweetened red bean paste (anko)
→ Topping
10 - 1 egg yolk
11 - 1 tablespoon milk
12 - Sesame seeds (optional)
# Step-by-Step:
01 - Combine bread flour, matcha powder, sugar, yeast, and salt in a large bowl. Mix thoroughly until evenly distributed.
02 - Pour lukewarm milk and crack the egg into the dry mixture. Stir with a wooden spoon or spatula until a shaggy, sticky dough forms.
03 - Incorporate softened butter into the dough and knead until fully absorbed and the dough becomes smooth and elastic, approximately 10 minutes by hand or 6 minutes using a stand mixer with dough hook attachment.
04 - Shape dough into a smooth ball and place in a lightly greased bowl. Cover with plastic wrap or a clean towel and let rise in a warm, draft-free area until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.
05 - Punch down the risen dough to release air. Divide into 12 equal portions and roll each into a smooth ball. Cover with a towel to prevent drying.
06 - Flatten each dough ball into a 3-inch disc. Place approximately 1 tablespoon of red bean paste in the center. Gather edges upward and pinch tightly to seal completely. Place seam-side down on a parchment-lined baking sheet.
07 - Loosely cover the formed buns with plastic wrap or a towel. Allow to rise until puffy and noticeably expanded, approximately 40 minutes.
08 - Preheat oven to 350°F during the final 15 minutes of the second rise.
09 - Whisk egg yolk with 1 tablespoon milk until combined. Gently brush the tops of each bun with the egg wash mixture. Sprinkle with sesame seeds if desired.
10 - Bake for 18 to 20 minutes until buns are lightly golden and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
11 - Transfer buns to a wire rack and let cool for at least 10 minutes before serving. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.
# Expert Advice:
01 -
- The earthy matcha balances the sweet red bean filling like they were made for each other
- These freeze beautifully and reheat in the microwave for breakfast all week
02 -
- The dough might feel sticky at first but keep kneading and it will come together beautifully
- Seal the red bean filling completely or it will burst out during baking
03 -
- Sift the matcha powder before measuring to avoid clumps in your flour
- Weighing ingredients with a kitchen scale gives you the most consistent results