Apple Buns (tangzhong/ water roux method)
Posted in bread/ bun/ roll, Featured Articles, Featured recipe, snacks, Vegetarian, Western
The month-long school holidays have just started in Singapore. Oh gosh! I dare not imagine how chaotic the house will be with my Mr. Talk-A-Lot around during this period? Though he sometimes had me on my wit’s end, I still cherish a lot the precious and priceless moments we shared together. For this holiday, we will be away for a short vacation starting tomorrow. So, you won’t see any update in my blog till I return.
Meanwhile, I am sharing another apple-themed post. Sorry, if I bore you with so many recipes using apples. Actually this post is done at the request of my readers. It’s all started with a photo of apple buns that I uploaded on my fan page lately. When they saw it, they wanted me to share the recipe. So, to keep my promise, here it is!
This apple bun uses my favourite bread starter called water roux/ tangzhong (汤种). This starter is obtained by mixing bread flour and water together and cook under gentle heat until it reaches 65°C. By adding it to the dough, the bread texture will be very moist and soft. I think it can beat those from the bakery shop too! If you want to know more about this bread starter, you can read more at my earlier post titled “Cheese Breadsticks” .
Although I have bookmarked this recipe for a long time, I just didn’t have the chance to try it out. The reason is I couldn’t figure out how to make the apple filling as the book doesn’t mention anything about that. Recently, I spotted the method in another cookbook. So, without delay, I gave this recipe a shot. Wow! The buns turned out amazingly eye-pleasing and flavourful!
I’m truly in love with its adorable outlook. Having curly baked apple slices as topping and rising nicely in a paper cup, the bun resembles a “cupcake” to me. But it definitely provides more nutritious value than cupcakes. Taste wise, it’s fantastically great! Extra soft, moist and delicious! The best is that it still tastes good even the next day! The apple filling gives the bun a boost in flavour too. Needless to say, it becomes another instant hit in my family. Besides that, when I shared some with my friend, I was surprised to see her 7 year old daughter, who is known to have a small tummy, gobbled up the entire bun in seconds! She gave me a thumb-up too! I was overwhelmed with joy! This recipe really helped to get my baking mojo back. Once again, my kitchen is filled with wonderful smell of bread now. I hope you will hop on to my bread wagon soon and serve your family with more freshly homemade bread that is free from preservative or artificial ingredients!
>> Click on PAGE 2 & 3 BELOW for Apple Buns Recipe and Step By Step Photos.
On a brighter note, I am honoured to be featured in Mother’s World inaugural issue. It”s a quarterly parenting magazine published by Mom & Me, a chain of retail stores from Mahindra Retail in India. (Click on the images for large view)
This recipe is featured at Rise and Shine Breakfast Campaign 2013.
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28 Comments
Leave a comment to noobcook
The apple rings are so pretty! Been meaning to try the tangzhong method for a long time.
XL (6 Bittersweets): Thanks!! Do give it a try! 😉
These are gorgeous! I gotta try this real soon. I’m always thinking of new TangZhong bread/fillings and I love your idea. My kids adore apples and I think they’ll love this.
Amy Tong: Thanks!! Happy trying!
WOW pretty buns!!! Love your styling and apple rings are really cute on top! And congratulations on the feature. It’s a beautiful feature!
Nami (JOC): Thanks!! 😉
OH, I just love these. They are darling. Those apple rings look like delicate little skirts. Bookmarking! Have a wonderful vacation getaway and I can’t wait to hear/see where your family went.
Sarah (Thyme): Thanks!! 😉
I love the flavor of cooked apples…so sweet and sultry. These look delicious!
Joanne: Thanks!! 🙂
These look complex to make but the end results are lovely!
Wokandspoon: Thanks! 🙂
I loved how it turned on the cupcake, looks beautiful! What a great idea!
LCOM: Thanks!! 😉
Irresistible apple buns! Congrats on the feature, you deserved it! 😉
Lee Mei (MCH): Thanks!! 😉
they are really gorgeous and beautiful! love the thin apple slice topping which curl after baking, looking like a flower.
Noobcook: Thanks!! 🙂
I always love homemade bread. Your buns look really cute. The apple on top looks like a flower 😀
Mary Moh: Thanks!! 😉
They are so adorable. Love the apple ring garnish..
Angie: Thanks!! I love them too! 😉
Thanks so much for sharing this recipe! I just tried making it. It’s delicious :D. As always, your step by step instructions and photos are very helpful for amateur bakers like me hehe. Thank you!!
Grace: Thanks for your kind feedback and wonderful compliment. So glad that it turned out well! 😉
Nice buns and would love to try. May I know what is the replacement for milk powder?
EL: So sorry, I’m not sure. 😉
Hi, may I ask, for step#6, do I need to set the oven to any temperature when heat it off for 40min?
Thanks for yr help…
PC: No temperature is needed. Happy trying!