Chinese Cocktail Buns

1. Place milk and 1/3 cup sugar in a small saucepan; stir until sugar is dissolved. Add 1/4 cup butter; gently warm mixture until butter melts and mixture warm but not hot—no more than 100 degrees F (40 degrees C).

2. Whisk 2 1/2 cups flour and yeast together until well combined; stir in milk mixture. Stir in 1 beaten egg until forms a sticky, wet dough. Turn dough out onto a well-floured surface; knead for about 10 minutes, gradually kneading in 1 cup flour, or as needed, to make a smooth, elastic dough.

3. Form dough into a round ball, place into an oiled bowl and turn to coat. Cover bowl with a cloth and let rise in a warm place until doubled in volume, about 1 hour.

4. Beat 1/2 cup sugar and 1/4 cup butter in a bowl until light and fluffy; stir in coconut, milk powder, and 1/2 cup flour until smooth and combined. Set filling aside. Line baking sheets with parchment paper.

5. Punch down dough on a floured surface; cut into 2 equal pieces. Cut each piece into 8 equal-sized pieces (16 pieces total). Form each piece into an oblong bun; flatten with a floured rolling pin. Spoon about 1 tablespoon filling in center of 1 flattened bun. Pull and pinch edges of dough together to enclose filling; place seam-side down onto a prepared baking sheet. Repeat with remaining filling and flattened buns. Cover buns with a cloth and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour.

6. Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F (190 degrees C).

7. Beat 1 egg in a bowl; brush on each bun for a glossy coating. Sprinkle each bun with sesame seeds.

8. Bake in the preheated oven until golden brown, 10 to 15 minutes. Cool before serving.

Cook's Notes:

Recipe makes 16 large or 32 small buns.

For dough to rise, warm oven to 150 degrees F (70 degrees C). When oven is warm, turn it off and place the covered dough into the oven for 1 hour to rise.