Fluffy Chinese Coconut Buns With Sweet Buttery Filling

Coconut buns are the soft ones with a buttery coconut filling, the bakery favorite. I proof them well so the dough stays light and the filling stays moist inside.

This recipe for Chinese Coconut Buns is straightforward, making it easy to create these delightful buns at home. You can enjoy them fresh out of the oven or as a delightful accompaniment to tea.

Easy Chinese Coconut Buns Recipe

These buns are light and fluffy, filled with a sweet buttery mixture that melts in your mouth. The process takes approximately 1 hour and yields a batch of 12 buns, making them perfect for sharing with family and friends.

Ingredients

2 cups all-purpose flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon salt
1/2 cup warm milk
1/2 teaspoon active dry yeast
2 tablespoons unsalted butter, melted
1/4 cup shredded coconut
1/4 cup soft butter for filling
1/4 cup powdered sugar for filling
1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract for filling

Instructions

Prepare the Yeast: In a small bowl, combine warm milk and active dry yeast. Let it sit for 5-10 minutes until frothy.
Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, whisk together flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
Combine Ingredients: Add the yeast mixture and melted butter to the dry ingredients. Mix until a dough forms.

Knead the Dough: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 5-7 minutes until smooth. Place it in a greased bowl, cover, and let it rise for 30 minutes.
Make the Filling: In a small bowl, combine soft butter, powdered sugar, shredded coconut, and vanilla extract until smooth.
Shape the Buns: Once risen, divide the dough into 12 equal pieces. Flatten each piece, add a spoonful of filling in the center, and seal the dough around it.

Steam the Buns: Arrange the buns in a steamer lined with parchment paper. Cover and steam over boiling water for about 15-20 minutes until fluffy.
Serve: Let the buns cool slightly before serving. Enjoy warm or at room temperature.