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Bolo Bao

Hong Kong style bakery buns featuring a soft, sweet dough topped with a golden, lattice-patterned cookie crust.

55 minMediumServes 8310 cal/serving

ChineseBreakfastOvenVegetarianHalal-friendlyKosher-styleNut-FreePork-FreeAlcohol-FreeShellfish-FreeLow-SodiumNightshade-Free

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Ingredients

  • 2.5 cups bread flour
  • 1.5 tsp instant yeast
  • 1/4 cup granulated sugar
  • 0.5 tsp fine salt
  • 1/2 cup whole milk
  • 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
  • 4 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
  • 2 egg yolk, beaten
  • 1 cup cake flour
  • 1/3 cup powdered sugar
  • 0.5 tsp baking powder

Instructions

  1. 1

    Mix 2.5 cups bread flour, 1.5 tsp instant yeast, 1/4 cup granulated sugar, and 0.5 tsp fine salt in a bowl.

  2. 2

    Pour in 1/2 cup whole milk and half of the 2 beaten egg yolk, then knead into a smooth dough.

  3. 3

    Incorporate 2 tbsp softened unsalted butter into the dough, cover, and let rise for 1 hour.

  4. 4

    Cream 4 tbsp softened unsalted butter and 1/3 cup powdered sugar, then stir in remaining 2 beaten egg yolk, 1 cup cake flour, and 0.5 tsp baking powder.

  5. 5

    Divide dough and topping into equal portions, drape topping over dough balls, and score a grid pattern.

  6. 6

    Bake at 375F for 15 minutes until golden brown.

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Questions

How much time should I plan for Bolo Bao?

As written, 55 minutes: 40 of prep and 15 of cooking. The longest single stretch is the hands-off wait in step 3, 1 hour. That wait sits outside the stated prep and cook times, so plan around it.

What temperature do I cook Bolo Bao at?

For Bolo Bao, the oven is set to 375 F (about 190 C) in step 6. The longest stretch at that heat is 15 minutes, in step 6.

How do I know when Bolo Bao is done?

Go by the cues in the method rather than the clock. Step 6: cook until golden brown.

What can I use instead of cake flour in Bolo Bao?

The entry for Bolo Bao calls for 1 cup cake flour. In its place: For each cup, take two tablespoons out of a cup of all-purpose flour and replace them with cornstarch, then sift.

Can I make Bolo Bao dairy-free?

Yes. The dairy in Bolo Bao is 1/2 cup whole milk, 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened, 4 tbsp unsalted butter, softened. Swap the milk for unsweetened oat or soy milk; the butter for olive oil where it melts, or a plant-based block butter where it is creamed. The richness shifts slightly, but the method does not change.

Is Bolo Bao vegan?

No, though it is vegetarian. What keeps it from vegan is 1/2 cup whole milk, 2 tbsp unsalted butter, softened, 4 tbsp unsalted butter, softened and 2 egg yolk, beaten. For fully plant-based entries, see the vegan breakfast collection.

Serve it with

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