Chinese Hot Dog Flower Buns

Fluffy milk bread wrapped around a hot dog and topped with scallions and sesame seeds. These Chinese bakery style buns make a delicious breakfast or snack anytime of the day!

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Have you ever had Chinese bakery buns? They are pillowy soft, slightly sweet, and stay soft for days.

This is achieved by a technique called "tangzhong" meaning water roux. A portion of flour is cooked with water or milk which pregelatinizes the starches in the flour so it can absorb more water.

After the tangzhong cools, it is added to the remaining ingredients to form a dough.

Well, what if I told you that you could achieve the same soft texture without the tangzhong method?

I don't know about you but I'm all for minimizing steps, dirty pots, utensils, and waiting time. This means it's easier and faster to stuff a glorious hot dog bun in your mouth.

The dough is made with everyday ingredients and all you need to do is mix them all together in one bowl.

The savory and salty hot dog pairs well with the sweet milk bread, the scallions add a hint of freshness and sharpness, and the sesame seeds add a slight nutty flavor.

Ingredients

Instructions

1. In a stand mixer with a dough hook, mix bread flour, sugar, salt, instant yeast and milk powder. Add in milk, heavy cream, and egg and knead for 10 minutes. The dough will be tacky. Cover and rest in a warm area for 2 hours or until it doubles in size.

2. Flour a work surface and portion the dough into 8 equal pieces. Form each piece into a ball and cover loosely.

3. Roll a piece about 2 inches wide and the length of the hot dog, about 6 inches. Place a hot dog in the center.

4. Wrap the dough around the hot dog and pinch the seam together.

5. Lightly roll to smooth out the seam.

6. Cut into 6 equal pieces.

7. On a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, place one piece in the middle and five around the center in a flower shape. Cover and repeat with remaining hot dogs. Let the buns rest for 30 minutes.

8. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Mix egg yolk with milk and brush over the buns. Sprinkle scallions and sesame seeds on top and bake for 20 minutes.

Tasty Tips

• Add milk powder to enhance the milk flavor.
• The dough should be tacky, don't be tempted to add more flour.
• For even sized buns, measure the entire dough ball and divide the weight by 8.
• Keep the dough covered as you assemble the buns and for the second rise to prevent the dough from drying out.
• Drizzle the buns with kewpie mayo or ketchup if desired.
• Serve the buns fresh out of the oven or reheat until warm for maximum fluffiness.

30 Minute Flower Buns

If you're short on time but still want to make these show stopping flower buns, use premade pizza or crescent dough to wrap the hot dogs. Proceed with remaining steps and ingredients.

FAQs

How do I store hot dog buns?

Store in the fridge for up to 3 days or freeze for up to a month.

How do I reheat hot dog buns?

I reheat mine in the microwave for 30-45 seconds until warm. You can also reheat in the oven.