MAMALOLI

Delicious and Easy Asian Recipes

Anpan – Sweet Red Bean Buns

Anpan – Sweet Red Bean Buns

Anpan – Sweet Red Bean Buns

There’s something about eating Anpan that takes me back to high school in Japan. On days where I didn’t have a bento ready, I would eat an anpan (sweet red bean bun) and chat with friends during lunch time.

Although I love going to asian bakeries to buy anpan, I love baking even more! So today, I decided to make anpan at home. The anpan tasted better than the bakery kind and turned out warm, extra fluffy, and super FRESH.

The only thing I recommend when making the bread is using Saf-Yeast Instant Yeast. It’s my favorite instant yeast. It’s usually not sold in stores, so you’ll probably have to get it online, but it’s worth it. No warm water or proofing required, and your dough rises faster (I learned about this yeast while attending an asian bakery class. Not the typical instant rapid rise yeast that’s sold in stores).

Serve with milk or warm green tea~ Enjoy!

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This recipe makes 8 Anpan

Ingredients

  • 200 grams all-purpose flour (or bread flour)
  • 40 grams sugar
  • 1/8 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon Saf-Yeast Instant Yeast
  • 1 egg (lightly beaten)
  • 60 grams water
  • 20 grams milk
  • 1 tablespoon melted butter

For the filling and topping:

  • 250 grams red bean paste
  • black sesame seeds (optional)

Things You’ll Need

Cooking Instructions

  1. Mix the flour, sugar, salt, and Saf Instant Yeast together. Then add water, milk, and the lightly beaten and form a messy dough. Add the melted butter. Now knead for 5 to 8 minutes using a Stand Mixer or Hand Mixer with dough hooks. You can also knead by hand (it will take a long time). When the dough is smooth and elastic, move to a clean bowl. Cover and let the dough rise in a warm place for about an hour (until doubled in size).
  2. Split the dough to 7 to 8 pieces (about 50 grams each). Roll each into a smooth ball. Cover and let it rise for 10 to 15 minutes.
  3. Roll the red bean paste into a ball (about a large tablespoon in size). Now take the dough and flatten it (not too much). Add the red bean paste and wrap the dough around it and seal.
  4. Flatten once more. Use a rounded tablespoon to make an indention in the center. *This part is optional: use sharp scissors and make 5 deep cuts around the dough to make a flower shape.* Now cover and let the buns rise another 30 minutes. Preheat oven to 375 degrees F.

  5. Bake for 15 minutes at 375 degrees F. Instead of egg wash, I like to brush a little bit of olive oil on the bread after it’s done baking to make it shiny. I also like to add some black sesame seeds. Enjoy!!