Chocolate Steamed Buns are a delightful dessert made with soft, pillowy bao dough filled with a gooey, semi-sweet chocolate filling. These buns are a treat for chocolate lovers, offering a unique twist on traditional steamed buns. When you bite into them, you’re met with the perfect balance of tender dough and a luscious chocolate “lava” that oozes out.

Full Recipe: 

Ingredients

Chocolate Ganache

• 1 ⅓ cup (8 oz) semi-sweet melting chocolate chips

• 1 cup heavy cream

Bao Dough

• ¾ cup (180 ml) whole milk (110°F or 43°C)

• 1 ½ teaspoons (6 g) active dry yeast or instant yeast

• 2 cups (300 g) all-purpose flour

• ¾ cup (100 g) wheat starch

• ½ cup (70 g) powdered sugar

• 2 teaspoons (10 g) baking powder

• ¼ teaspoon salt

• 1 tablespoon (15 g) vegetable shortening

• 1 large egg white

• 1 tablespoon (15 g) vegetable oil

Directions

1. Prepare the Chocolate Ganache

   • Heat the heavy cream in a small saucepan until it is hot and lightly simmering. Do not let it boil.

   • Pour the hot cream over the chocolate chips in a heatproof bowl and let it sit for 10 minutes. Stir until creamy and smooth.

   • Chill the ganache for 30 minutes in the refrigerator, then cover with plastic wrap and chill for an additional hour.

2. Make the Bao Dough

   • Warm the milk to 110°F (43°C) and add the yeast. Let sit for 10 minutes (or 2-3 minutes for instant yeast) to activate the yeast.

   • Sift the dry ingredients (flour, wheat starch, powdered sugar, baking powder, salt) into the bowl of your stand mixer.

   • Add the shortening and mix on low until it is broken into small pieces.

   • In a separate bowl, combine the egg white and vegetable oil. Add this mixture to the dry ingredients, followed by the yeast milk mixture.

   • Knead the dough on medium speed for about 5 minutes until it forms a ball and is no longer sticky. If too dry, add warm water; if too sticky, add flour.

   • Knead by hand for 1 minute, then transfer to a greased bowl. Cover and let the dough rise in a warm place for 1-2 hours until doubled in size.

3. Assemble the Steamed Buns

   • Divide the dough into 12 equal pieces and roll them into smooth balls. Roll each piece into a circle about 4 inches wide.

   • Place a tablespoon of chocolate ganache in the center of each circle and fold the dough around the filling, pinching tightly to seal.

   • Let the buns rest for 15 minutes, then place them on parchment squares or cupcake liners.

4. Steam the Buns

   • Prepare your steamer, wrapping the lid with a dish towel to prevent condensation from dripping onto the buns.

   • Steam the buns in batches, placing them about 2 inches apart in the steamer. Steam on medium heat for 10-12 minutes.

   • Allow the buns to sit in the steamer for 1 minute after steaming to prevent wrinkles.

5. Serve and Enjoy

   • Serve the buns warm, right out of the steamer. Enjoy the soft dough and the delicious chocolate filling!

Nutrients

• Calories: 332 kcal

• Carbohydrates: 35g

• Protein: 5g

• Fat: 19g

• Saturated Fat: 10g

• Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g

• Monounsaturated Fat: 6g

• Trans Fat: 1g

• Cholesterol: 32mg

• Sodium: 143mg

• Potassium: 199mg

• Fiber: 3g

• Sugar: 14g

• Vitamin A: 345 IU

• Vitamin C: 1mg

• Calcium: 89mg

• Iron: 2mg

The Art of Bao Dough

At the heart of every steamed bun, including the chocolate-filled variety, is the bao dough. This dough is known for its light, airy texture, which is achieved through careful kneading and steaming. The bao dough used for Chocolate Steamed Buns is a slightly sweetened version, with a soft and pillowy consistency that complements the rich chocolate filling. The key to perfect bao dough lies in the balance of ingredients. All-purpose flour and wheat starch contribute to the dough’s tender texture, while the addition of powdered sugar helps provide a subtle sweetness. The combination of these ingredients, along with the baking powder and yeast, allows the dough to rise beautifully when steamed, giving it that coveted soft, fluffy bite.

The Role of Yeast in Bao Dough

Yeast is an essential ingredient in bao dough, as it is responsible for leavening the dough and making it rise. In the case of Chocolate Steamed Buns, active dry yeast is activated with warm milk, which gives the dough its airy, soft structure once it’s steamed. Yeast works by fermenting the sugars in the dough and producing carbon dioxide gas, which causes the dough to expand and rise. The dough’s rise is key to the texture of the finished buns, as it ensures that they are light and fluffy rather than dense or heavy. It’s important to allow the dough to rest and rise properly in a warm place, as this is when the yeast performs its magic, transforming the dough into a soft, pillowy base for the chocolate filling.

Creating the Perfect Chocolate Ganache

The heart of the Chocolate Steamed Buns is undoubtedly the luscious, gooey chocolate filling. The ganache is made by combining semi-sweet chocolate chips with heavy cream, resulting in a smooth, velvety texture that’s perfect for filling the buns. Ganache is a versatile chocolate filling that can be used in a variety of desserts, and in this case, it serves as the ideal filling for these steamed buns. By heating the cream and then pouring it over the chocolate chips, the heat helps melt the chocolate, allowing it to blend seamlessly into the cream and form a glossy, silky ganache. This rich filling is then chilled to thicken and firm up, making it easier to portion and place inside the dough. When steamed, the ganache softens further, creating a molten chocolate center that oozes out as you take a bite.

The Importance of Steaming in the Cooking Process

Unlike traditional baked goods, Chocolate Steamed Buns are cooked using a steaming method, which is key to achieving the desired texture. Steaming allows the buns to cook through evenly while retaining moisture, which is why the dough remains so soft and tender. The gentle heat of the steamer prevents the buns from drying out or becoming too crispy. Additionally, steaming allows the bao dough to rise gradually, giving it the delicate, pillowy texture that makes these buns so appealing. It’s important to steam the buns in batches and not overcrowd the steamer, as this can affect the buns’ texture and the even distribution of heat. Wrapping the lid of the steamer with a dish towel is also essential, as it prevents condensation from dripping onto the buns, which could cause them to become soggy.

Assembling the Steamed Buns

Assembling Chocolate Steamed Buns requires a bit of care, as you’ll need to properly encase the chocolate ganache within the bao dough. Once the dough has been prepared and rested, it is divided into small pieces, which are rolled into smooth balls. Each ball is then flattened into a circle, and a tablespoon of chocolate ganache is placed in the center. The dough is carefully folded around the ganache, sealing it tightly to ensure that none of the filling escapes during the steaming process. It’s crucial to pinch the dough securely around the filling, as any gaps may cause the chocolate to leak out while cooking. Once the buns are filled and sealed, they are allowed to rest for a short period before being placed into the steamer.

Achieving the Perfect Steam

Steaming the buns is the final step in the preparation process. To achieve perfect buns, it’s important to maintain the right temperature in the steamer. Steaming the buns over medium heat for 10-12 minutes is typically sufficient, but the exact time can vary depending on the size and thickness of the buns. After steaming, it’s important to allow the buns to sit in the steamer for an additional minute before serving. This brief resting time helps prevent wrinkles from forming on the surface of the buns as they cool. Once steamed, the Chocolate Steamed Buns are ready to be served warm, and you can immediately enjoy the soft dough and the gooey chocolate center.

The Sensory Appeal of Chocolate Steamed Buns

What makes Chocolate Steamed Buns particularly appealing is the contrast between the soft, fluffy bao dough and the warm, gooey chocolate filling. As you take a bite, the dough provides a tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture, while the chocolate center offers a rich, indulgent sweetness that satisfies any chocolate craving. The combination of these two textures creates a truly unique dessert experience that is both comforting and decadent. The visual appeal of these buns is also noteworthy. The glossy ganache-filled center, which oozes out as you bite into the bun, adds a touch of drama to the dish, making it as delightful to look at as it is to eat.

Nutritional Benefits and Considerations

While Chocolate Steamed Buns are undeniably a treat, they also offer some nutritional benefits. The bao dough, which contains ingredients like milk and wheat starch, provides a moderate amount of carbohydrates, making it a good source of energy. The chocolate ganache, made with semi-sweet chocolate and heavy cream, provides a dose of antioxidants from the chocolate, along with some healthy fats from the cream. However, like most desserts, these buns should be enjoyed in moderation, as they are relatively high in sugar and fat. Despite this, they can be a fun and indulgent treat for special occasions, satisfying your sweet tooth with a unique and delicious twist on traditional steamed buns.

Conclusion

Chocolate Steamed Buns offer a delightful fusion of textures and flavors, making them an irresistible treat for chocolate lovers. The soft, pillowy bao dough pairs perfectly with the rich, gooey chocolate ganache, creating a dessert that is both comforting and indulgent. The process of making these buns, from preparing the bao dough to steaming the filled buns, requires attention to detail, but the end result is well worth the effort. Whether you’re making them for a special occasion or just to satisfy a craving, Chocolate Steamed Buns provide a unique and delicious twist on traditional steamed buns, and their rich, molten chocolate center is sure to leave a lasting impression on anyone who tries them.