| Level: | Intermediate |
| Total: | 4 hr 25 min |
| Active: | 40 min |
| Yield: | 12 bao |
Ingredients
- 1/3 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup lukewarm water
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- 1 packet active dry yeast
- 1 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature
- 1/2 teaspoon vanilla
- 1/2 cup heavy cream
- 3/4 cup cake flour
- 1/2 cup all-purpose flour, plus more for dusting
- 1/4 cup unsweetened cocoa powder
- 2 1/2 teaspoons sugar
- 2 teaspoons baking powder
- 1/2 teaspoon fine salt
- 1 tablespoon vegetable oil
- 1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips
- Vegetable oil cooking spray, for greasing
Instructions
- For the bao starter: In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour, water, sugar and yeast. Let stand until puffed up and has bubbles on the surface, about 20 minutes.
- For the chocolate sauce: In a medium bowl, mix together the chips, butter and vanilla. Place the bowl over a barely simmering saucepan of water and stir until the chocolate has melted. Whisk in the cream until the mixture is smooth. Set aside to cool to room temperature.
- For the chocolate bao: In a large bowl, whisk together both flours, the cocoa powder, sugar, baking powder and salt. Add the flour mixture and oil to the starter and stir together while gradually adding 1/2 cup room temperature water. Stop adding water once the dough has come together enough to knead by hand. Dump the dough onto a lightly-floured surface and knead until you have a smooth, satiny dough, 3 to 4 minutes. Return the dough to the bowl and cover tightly with plastic wrap. Let the dough rise in a warm place until it has doubled in size, about 3 hours.
- Spray a stainless-steel steamer with vegetable oil cooking spray. Use your hands to roll the dough into a long log, about 2 inches wide and 12 inches long. Cut the log into 12 equal pieces. Place a few chocolate chips in the center of each dough piece and stretch the dough around the chips, pinching one end to form a ball. Place the ball seam-side down onto a wax paper square. Continue with the remaining pieces of dough.
- Gently lower the bao in batches into a prepared steamer. Steam for 10 minutes, then carefully remove and let cool under a kitchen towel.
- Serve warm with chocolate sauce for dipping.
Nutrition Facts
| Serving Size | 1 of 12 servings |
| Calories | 249 |
| Total Fat | 15 g |
| Saturated Fat | 8 g |
| Carbohydrates | 30 g |
| Dietary Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 14 g |
| Protein | 3 g |
| Cholesterol | 19 mg |
| Sodium | 150 mg |
Reviews
Looks really good