Pork Sung Buns

Another COVID times baking adventure

Yield: 12 buns
Prep Time: 3 hours
Total Time: 3 hours and 15 minutes

Ingredients:  
2/3 cup heavy cream
1 cup milk
1 large egg
1/3 cup sugar
1/2 cup cake flour
3 1/2 cups bread flour
1 tablespoon active dry yeast
1 1/2 teaspoons salt
1/4 cup mayonnaise
4 ounces pork sung
3 scallions stalks (finely chopped)
Egg wash (whisk together 1 egg with 1 teaspoon water)
1 tablespoon toasted sesame seeds
2 teaspoons sugar (dissolved in 2 teaspoons hot water to make a simple syrup)

Directions:
- In the bowl of a mixer, add the heavy cream, milk, egg, sugar, cake flour, bread flour, yeast, and salt  Using the dough hook attachment, turn on the mixer on low (1-2).  Let it go for 15 minutes
- After 15 minutes, the dough is ready for proofing. Cover the bowl with a damp towel and place in a warm spot for 1 hour. The dough will grow to 1.5X its original size.
- After the hour of proofing, put the dough back in the mixer and stir for another 5 minutes to get rid of air bubbles or you can kneed it. Dump the dough on a lightly floured surface and cut into 12 equal pieces. Cover the dough pieces with a dry cloth while assembling the buns.
- Take each piece of dough and roll it out into a rough 4x6" rectangle. Spread a very thin layer of mayonnaise onto the dough, and then sprinkle with pork sung and chopped scallion. Roll it up lengthwise into a tight cigar shape. Cut the cigar in half lengthwise, with about an inch on one end still attached, so that the piece of dough almost looks like a pair of pants. Twist the dough together, with the cut sides facing up, and tuck the ends underneath the bun. Transfer to a parchment-lined baking sheet, and sprinkle with sesame seeds. Do so for all 12 pieces.
- Cover the buns with a clean, dry kitchen towel, and allow to rise for another hour.
- Preheat the oven to 350 degrees F. Before baking, brush each bun with egg wash. Bake for 13 - 15 minutes, until golden brown.
- After baking, remove the buns from the oven and immediately brush each bun lightly with simple syrup.

Tips & Thoughts: 
- Proofing times can vary depending on how warm your home is. Ours took way longer than an hour
- We didn't do the simple syrup so ours look pale
- You can be more generous with the pork sung

Recipe Source