Baozi, or mostly known as bao is a type of dumpling in Chinese cuisines. These buns were introduced first in North China. Filled buns are called Baozi where else the plain ones without any filling are called Mantou. 
There are various types of filling for the baos such as chicken, veggies, pork, custard and etc… You can even do them without any filling in it. But the ones with filling tastes better.A perfect steam bun has outer layer of skin on it.

You can use two types of flour for these baos,all purpose flour or Hong Kong flour.
Why All Purpose Flour???The texture of the bao will be soft, but the colour will be yellowish since I’m also using melted butter.
Why Hong Kong Flour???There are two types of Hong Kong flour, plain Hong Kong flour and Hong Kong bao flour. The difference between them is that the Bao flour has yeast in it whereas the HK flour don’t have yeast in it. I used HK flour for the bao but I added some yeast into it since it’s not included. Still, the texture will remain the same as the one that we used all purpose flour. But the colour is whiter than the other one (☝🏻)….

The most preferred filling for baos is Char Siu filling which is a type of sweet pork filling. Other than that, people also prefer veggies filling for their baos. Some prefer chicken filling. Here in Malaysia, you can find lots of different types of fillings such as kaya(custard jam), salted egg custard, red bean paste and etc. Today, I have used my own instant custard filling for my bao.

Without wasting time, I’d like to share my recipes here. 
______________FIRST RECIPE_______________Ingredients For Yeast Mixture Warm milk – 90mlInstant dried yeast – 1tspCaster sugar – 1tsp
Ingredients for DoughAll purpose flour – 190gCaster sugar – 1tbspBaking powder – 1/2tspMelted butter – 1tbsp
ProceduresSTEP 1….Add sugar into a bowl of warm milk.
STEP 2….Add instant dried yeast in it.
Step 3….Give it a good mix until all has combined.
Step 4….Let it rest for a few minutes until the yeast has activated.
Step 5….In another bowl, mix the flour, sugar, baking powder, and melted butter with the help of a spatula.
Step 6….Once the dough is not sticking to the spatula, start kneading with your hands.
Step 7….Knead for at least 10 minutes.
Step 8….Now, form a ball out of the dough and place it on a lightly greased bowl and cover the bowl with a plastic wrap.
Step 9….Let the dough rest for 40-50 minutes.
Step 10….Ensure that the dough has risen double in size.
Step 11….Drop it on a lightly floured mat and start to make a cylindrical shape. 

Step 12….Using a dough scraper, cut the dough into a few pieces.

Step 13….Take one of the pieces and flatten it. Make a circular shape with the help of a rolling pin.

Step 14…. Place some custard filling on the dough.

Step 15….Place the dough on your left hand. Use the index finger on your right to fold the edges of the dough towards the back. Hold it with the thumb on your left. At the end, twist it on the middle. Continue Step 13-15 for the other pieces.

Step 16….Place them in a steamer and steam for 15-20 minutes in a medium flame. Make sure the flame is not too high to prevent breakage on the top of the buns.

Step 17….After steaming….Take the buns out of the steamer and place it on a plate. Now, your delicious steamed buns are ready to be eaten..!!😋😋😋

____________ SECOND RECIPE______________
Ingredients Hong Kong flour – 300gInstant dried yeast – 3gBaking powder- 3gCaster sugar- 30gWater – 160mlVegetable oil – 15g
Filling Instant custard cream
ProceduresStep 1….In a bowl, mix the flour, yeast, baking powder, sugar and water with the help of a spatula.

Step 2….Once the dough is not sticking to the spatula, start kneading with your hands.
Step 3…Now, pour in the oil. Start kneading. The dough may be a little sticky, but still you need to continue.
Step 4….Place the dough into a lightly greased bowl and cover the bowl with a plastic wrap.
Step 5….Let it rest for 40-50 minutes.
Step 6….Ensure that the dough has risen double in size.
Step 7….Gently drop it on a lightly floured mat and sprinkle some flour on the dough so that it will be easy to handle with.
Step 8….Start to make a cylindrical shape out of the dough.
Step 9….Using a dough scraper, cut the dough into a few pieces.
Step 10….Take one of the pieces and flatten it. Make a circular shape with the help of a rolling pin.
Step 11….Place some custard filling on the dough.
Step 12….Bring all the edges to the middle and press it gently to seal the dough. Dust some flour on the mat.Then, turn  the dough over. Place your palm on the top of the dough and your fingers around the dough. Now, start doing a circular motion with the dough very gently. This is to make sure that the dough’s bottom is out of uneven shape. Continue Step 10-12 for all the other pieces.

Step 13….Let all the dough balls to rest for 10-15 minutes.
Step 14….After that, place all the doughs in the steamer and steam in a medium flame for 15-20 minutes. Make sure the flame is not too high to prevent any damage to the buns.
Step 15….After steaming…..Take the buns out of the steamer and your delicious steamed buns are ready to be eaten.

Eventually I’m really satisfied with my second recipe since it’s turned well. It had very nice texture,softness and more whiter …
Please try this recipes and share your comments and pictures too.Thank you 😊