Steamed Flower Buns

Make the Dough

1. In a mixing bowl, add flour, yeast, sugar, and olive oil. (You can use a KitchenAid if you want!) Mix well.

2. Make sure the milk and water are lukewarm. Add a third of the liquids, mix, and repeat until all the liquid has been added.

3. The dough should come together well (not flaky) and be easy to knead (medium-soft). If you need to add more water or more flour, do so slowly (a tbsp at a time) to get the right texture.

   

4. Knead the dough for 5 minutes until smooth.

5. Let the dough sit for 5 minutes, then divide into 12 equal-sized balls.

   

6. Take one ball, and cover the rest with saran wrap so they don't dry out.

7. Now comes the fun part! The next few sections walk through different shapes you can make - try one, some, or all 😊. Once you're done, skip to the last section on steaming.

Simple Flower I 🌸

1. Take a dough ball and press it into a circle. Place some dried fruit (like cranberries or a date) into the middle.

2. Make 5 cuts around the center. Then use a fork to press hard to make some lines in each section.

   

3. Pinch the corners of each piece together to make the petals.

   

4. Brush olive oil on top and cover.

Simple Flowers II & III 🌸

1. Take a dough ball and press it into a circle. Use a knife to press lines across the dough. Then cut the circle in half vertically.

   

2. Take one of the halves, and use chopsticks to squeeze the dough in the middle. Place a piece of dried fruit in the middle.

   

3. Take the other half, and make three small slits along the edge (try to space them more evenly than I did 🙈).

   

4. Pinch each section into a petal.

   

5. Do the same thing you did in Step 2, and use chopsticks to squeeze the dough in the middle. Place a piece of dried fruit in the middle.

   

6. Brush olive oil on top of both flowers and cover.

Complex Flower I 🌼

1. Take a dough ball and place some dried fruit in the middle. Press some lines evenly along the edges of the circle. As you can see, it is harder than it looks 🥲, so do your best!

   

2. Make five cuts from the outer edge of the circle to the fruit, evenly spaced around the circle to create 6 sections.

3. Use a chopstick to push the middle of each section into the middle of the circle.

   

4. Brush olive oil on top and cover.

Complex Flower II 🌼

1. Take a dough ball and press it into a circle.

2. Make 5 slits evenly spaced around the circle.

   

3. Roll one of the sections into the middle of the circle.

   

4. Take the two ends of the roll and bring them around to meet each other.

   

5. Use a chopstick to press into the middle of the roll, and pinch the outside end into a point.

6. Repeat Steps 3-5 with the other 5 sections.

   

7. Brush olive oil on top and cover.

Rose 🌹

1. Take one dough ball and half of another dough ball. Split the full dough ball in half.

2. Press the three halves into circles, and use a knife to press vertical lines along the top and bottom.

   

3. Cut each circle in half.

   

4. Layer the halves on top of each other.

   

5. Place a chopstick about half an inch from the top and press hard to create a dent across the halves.

   

6. Remove the chopstick and then roll the halves from left to right into a cylinder. Place some fruit in the middle.

   

7. Brush olive oil on top and cover.

Lotus 🪷

1. Use a rolling pin to roll out a dough ball into a thin circle.

2. Cut the top half of the circle into four sections and the bottom half into two sections.

   

3. Layer them on top of each other.

   

4. Place a chopstick across the middle, and press hard so that the layers lift up and separate.

   

5. Remove the chopstick. Take the right, pointy end of your layer stack and fold it back to meet the other side.

   

6. Brush olive oil on top and cover.

Bunny I 🐰

1. Roll the dough ball into a long rope.

   

2. Loop the two ends up.

   

3. Take the left and right sides, lift them, and join them in the middle.

4. Turn over. Use your knife to create dents for the ears and toes. Use the tip of a chopstick to create dents for eyes and mouth. Press two tiny pieces of dried fruit for the eyes.

   

5. Brush olive oil on top and cover.

Bunny II 🐇

1. Roll the dough into a long oval.

   

2. Make a slit 2/3 of the way down from the top.

   

3. Roll up from the bottom almost all the way up.

   

4. Take the left and right sides of the roll and join them in the middle.

5. Turn over. Use a knife to create dents for the ears. Use the tip of a chopstick to create dents for the eyes and mouth. Use dried fruit for the eyes.

   

6. Brush olive oil on top and cover.

Steam the Buns

1. Make sure you let all the buns sit for 30-40 minutes before you steam. Before you start steaming, readjust any of the buns in case the rising has affected your artwork.

2. Add water to the steamer, and heat on high.

3. Once the water is boiling, reduce the heat to medium. Brush a layer of olive oil on the bottom of the steamer and add the buns. Make sure to keep a 1-inch space between the buns, as they'll rise a little more.

4. Cover the steamer, and steam for 12 minutes.

5. Remove the buns and let them rest for 5 minutes.

6. Repeat with the rest of the buns, and then serve!