Description
Chinese Brown Sugar Bread (Guo Kui) is a soft, slightly sweet pan-fried bread filled with a delicate brown sugar and flour mix. This traditional snack features a tender dough made from all-purpose flour and yeast, which is then stuffed with a sweet brown sugar filling and cooked slowly in a cast iron pan to achieve a golden, slightly crispy crust. Perfect for a comforting treat or snack, this recipe yields 14 individual portions and takes just 45 minutes from start to finish.
Ingredients
Dough Ingredients
- 300 g all-purpose flour (plus more for dusting)
- 150 ml water
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tsp instant yeast
- Oil for brushing
Filling Ingredients
- 2 tbsp all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup powdered brown sugar
- A tiny pinch of salt
Instructions
- Prepare the filling: In a small bowl, mix the powdered brown sugar, 2 tablespoons of all-purpose flour, and a tiny pinch of salt thoroughly. Set this sweet filling mixture aside.
- Make the dough: Using a stand mixer, combine 300 grams of all-purpose flour, 1/2 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon instant yeast, and 150 ml water. Mix on low speed for 8 to 9 minutes until the dough becomes soft, smooth, and elastic.
- First proof: Cover the dough with a wet cloth or plastic wrap and let it rest in a warm place for about 30 to 45 minutes. The dough should rise and become roughly one-third larger in size, with a completely smooth surface but without a honeycomb texture inside.
- Shape the dough: Punch down the dough gently to expel air, then roll it into a uniform long log approximately 4 cm in diameter. Cut the log into 14 equal portions.
- Fill the dough: Take each portion and wrap it around a portion of the brown sugar and flour filling, sealing it carefully to encase the sweet mixture inside.
- Pan fry the breads: Brush a thin layer of oil in a cast iron pan and place the filled breads in the pan one by one. Cover with a lid and fry each side over low heat for 6 to 8 minutes until golden brown and cooked through. Adjust the heat as necessary to prevent burning while ensuring even cooking.
Notes
- Use a cast iron pan for best heat retention and even cooking.
- Cooking on low heat is crucial to avoid burning and to allow the bread to cook fully inside.
- If you don't have instant yeast, you can use active dry yeast but activate it first in warm water before mixing.
- Dust your work surface and hands with flour to prevent sticking when shaping the dough.
- Serve warm for the best texture and flavor.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Chinese
