Chinese Cocktail Buns

Ingredients

• 1 cup milk
• 0.33 cups white sugar
• cup butter , softened, divided
• 4 cups all-purpose flour , or more as needed, divided
• 1 tablespoon active dry yeast
• 2 large eggs , Optional
• 0.5 cups white sugar
• 1 cup finely grated fresh coconut
• 0.5 cups nonfat dry milk powder
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds , Optional

Instructions

1. 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. 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. 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. 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. 5

   Punch down dough on a floured surface; cut into 2 equal pieces. Cut each piece into 8 equal-sized pieces (16 pieces total). Form each piece into an oblong shape; flatten with a floured rolling pin. Spoon about 1 tablespoon filling in center of 1 flattened dough piece. Pull and pinch edges of dough together to enclose filling; place buns seam-side down onto a prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining filling and flattened dough pieces. Cover buns with a cloth; let rise in a warm place for 1 hour.

6. 6

   Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

7. 7

   Beat remaining 1 egg in a bowl; brush on each bun for a glossy coating. Sprinkle each bun with sesame seeds.

8. 8

   Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes. Cool before serving.