Black Pepper Buns

These black pepper buns are soft and fluffy and have a nice kick from the black pepper.

Black Pepper Buns
From Teacher Meng’s One Hundred Breads

Servings: 6 buns

For the dough:

• 250 g bread flour
• 25 g white sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 10 g powdered milk
• 3 g (3/4 tsp) instant OR active dry yeast
• 15 g beaten egg (save the rest for brushing the buns)
• 140 g water
• 20 g unsalted butter, softened
• 1 tsp ground black pepper

For the filling:

• 40 g ground pork OR chicken
• 30 g chopped onion OR green onion
• 1/8 tsp salt
• 1/8 tsp ground black pepper

For decoration:

• 1 Tbsp black sesame seeds (optional)

1. In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook, combine the bread flour, sugar, salt, powdered milk, yeast, egg, and water.
2. Beat on low speed until the dough comes together, then increase speed to medium and beat until it starts to look smooth.
3. On low speed, beat in butter.
4. On medium speed, beat until the dough passes the windowpane test.
5. Beat in pepper on low speed.
6. Let the dough proof, covered, for 80 minutes.

Make the filling:

1. While dough is proofing, make the filling: In a small saucepan on low heat, stir-fry the pork OR chicken slightly, then add the onion OR green onion and cook until done.
2. Remove from heat and stir in salt and pepper.
3. Set aside to cool.

Assemble the buns:

1. Grease an 8-inch round baking pan with 3-inch-high sides.  If you’re worried about sticking, you can line it with aluminum foil before greasing.
2. Divide the dough into 6 equal parts and roll them into balls.  Cover and let them rest for 5 minutes.
3. Lightly flour a work surface and use a rolling pin to roll out each ball into a circle 4-5 inches in diameter.
4. Divide the filling into 6 equal parts.  Place filling in the center of the dough circle.  Gather and pinch together the edges to seal them.
5. With the pinched-together side facing down, roll the ball gently on the work surface a few times.
6. Place the balls in the prepared pan.  It’s easiest to place the center one first, then the other five in a circle around it.
7. Let buns rise for 50 minutes.  During this time, preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
8. Brush the tops and sides of the buns with the leftover beaten egg.
9. Sprinkle black sesame seeds on top of each bun if you have them.
10. Bake for 28 minutes.
11. To store, place in a covered container in the fridge.  You can microwave each bun for about 15 seconds to warm it up again.