Festive Christmas Bao Buns with Sweet Red Bean Filling

1.In a mixing bowl, combine the warm water (½ cup), sugar (1 tablespoon), and instant yeast (1 teaspoon). Let it sit for about 5 minutes until frothy.

2.In another bowl, mix the all-purpose flour (2 cups), baking powder (½ teaspoon), and salt (¼ teaspoon) together.

3.Add the yeast mixture and vegetable oil (1 tablespoon) to the flour mixture. Knead until a smooth dough forms, about 10 minutes.

4.Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.

5.Once the dough has risen, punch it down and knead for a minute. Divide the dough into 10 equal pieces.

6.Roll each piece into a circle about 4 inches in diameter.

7.In a small bowl, mix the sweet red bean paste (1 cup), chopped candied orange peel (¼ cup), and chopped walnuts (¼ cup) together. Place a tablespoon of the filling in the center of each dough circle.

8.Gather the edges of the dough and pinch them together to seal the filling inside, forming a bun.

9.Place the buns on small squares of parchment paper to prevent sticking.

10.Prepare a steamer by bringing water to a boil. Arrange the buns in the steamer, leaving space between them to expand.

11.Cover and steam the buns for about 15-20 minutes until they are fluffy and cooked through.

12.Remove the buns from the steamer and let them cool slightly before serving.