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Pumpkin Spice Steamed Pumpkin Mantou

Embracing The Autumn Spirit

        As the crisp autumn breeze fills the air and leaves paint the world in hues of orange and gold, it's the perfect time to savor the comforting flavors of the season. Today, I invite you to join me on a culinary journey that combines the traditional charm of Chinese steamed pumpkin mantou with the aromatic allure of pumpkin spice. Get ready to indulge in a warm, fluffy, and fragrant treat that will embrace you with the cozy comforts of autumn and warm you up for the winter weather.

       Imagine the familiar fragrance of pumpkin spice, with its notes of cinnamon, nutmeg, ginger, and cloves. Now, imagine that enchanting aroma infused into the very heart of a steamed bun. That's precisely what you can expect with our pumpkin spice edition of Chinese steamed pumpkin mantou. The subtle warmth and comforting spice blend complement the natural sweetness of the pumpkin, resulting in a symphony of flavors that will transport you to a cozy autumn day with every bite.

       The beauty of pumpkin spice lies not only in its tantalizing scent but also in the cozy comfort it brings. With each steamed pumpkin mantou, you'll experience a delightful combination of fluffy texture, gentle sweetness, and the familiar embrace of pumpkin spice. These buns are like a warm hug on a chilly day, enveloping you in a blanket of comfort and making you feel right at home. The fragrance from the pumpkin spice blend will awaken your senses, warming you up from the inside out and preparing you for the winter weather ahead.

       Chinese steamed pumpkin mantou with a pumpkin spice twist is the epitome of an autumn treat. The golden-orange hue of the buns mirrors the colors of the season, while the delicate fragrance and cozy flavors capture the essence of fall. Whether enjoyed with a cup of hot tea on a lazy afternoon or as a delightful addition to your Thanksgiving feast, these buns are sure to evoke feelings of nostalgia and contentment, making every moment spent with them a cherished memory.

       With each bite, you'll feel the gentle warmth of autumn, as the fragrant spices dance on your palate. The fluffy texture of the mantou adds to the overall experience, creating a comforting sensation that lingers long after the last crumb has been enjoyed. These buns are a testament to the beauty of the season, capturing the essence of autumn in every mouthful.

       Indulging in these fragrant pumpkin spice steamed pumpkin mantou is like taking a stroll through a crisp autumn forest, with leaves crunching underfoot and the scent of spices lingering in the air. It's a moment of pure bliss, a respite from the outside world, and a celebration of the simple pleasures that autumn brings.

Recipe:

Video for Recipe:

Pumpkin Spice Mantou

A mix of Eastern and Western ideas, this proved to be one of my favorite buns to make. A soft, fluffy bun with the warm fragrance and feel enough to heat up even the coldest winter nights. 

I really do recommend this delicious bun for you to try! And feel free to make your adjustments. I found that whole wheat flour fits my taste preferences more, but it is a tradeoff with how fluffly it is. Using milk instead of water will make it sweeter and more moist, but can overshadow some fragrance of the pumpkin spice and natural sweetness of the pumpkin. The recipe below is a good base, but feel free to adjust for your preferences and change the other ingredient amounts accordingly. :)

In the ingredients list, I linked to a few products on Amazon - in case you don't have any at home. I just found the cheapest ones there. It's an affiliate link if you wanna use it. I get a bit of the proceeds, but you can use whatever or whichever products you want. :) 

Ingredients List:

  • 200 g Canned pumpkin
  • 1 tsp instant yeast (Add more for stronger yeasty flavor, which I love!)
  • 280 g plain flour (+additional for kneading/Climate control)
  • Pumpkin Spice (Or homemade pumpkin spice*)
  • 30 g any syrup (Can substitute with any granulated sugar as well, adjust water accordingly)
  • Optional* 3 g Thickening Agent (xanthan gum, Guar gum, Corn starch, etc)
  • Water as needed
    • If using a thickening agent, you'll be able to add more, if not, you'll use less. 
    • Start with 20 ml water and add until you can form a shaggy dough and the flour is incorporated
  • A pinch of salt
    • ALWAYS SALT YOUR EVERYTHING

Combine the Ingredients

This is a relatively simple recipe but it does take some time. 

  1. If you are using active dry yeast, add to warm water and let the yeast bloom before combining. Honestly, I prefer using instant yeast. It's much faster and there's less hassle. You don't have to wait to bloom the yeast or wash another bowl.
  2. Combine the pumpkin, flour, instant yeast, pumpkin spice, salt, sugar and thickening agents (if included).
  3. Mix until there are no more dry bits of flour. The amout of water will vary depending on multiple variables. If you don't have enough water, simply add in spoonfuls, kneading at least for 1 to 2 minute in between additions just to make sure you don't add too much.
  4. Once you're done kneading, cover with plastic wrap or a damp towel and let proof until doubled in size. 

Kneading

Unless you live in Asia, your flour may not be ideal for making these types of buns. Certain ways to allieviate this problem is to lower the water content or increase the amount of flour. I don't tend to like this, because it tends to lead to a dryer, less fluffy and more dense bun. I follow this youtuber's tips on fixing steamed buns to make this recipe viable without altering the characteristics of the bun. 

If it's too hard to work with, add a dusting of flour to the dough and continue kneading until you get a smooth and supple dough.

DIY Steamer

This recipe, along with most Chinese buns, requires some sort of steaming. If you don't have a steamer, make do with what you have. You can use chopsticks. Forks work really well, or anything else to separate the steaming dish from the water. Things like cooling racks also work perfectly fine. Place a normal plate underneath the cooling wrap and steam it like that and you're golden!

Note: Look for metal or tin plates/dishes to steam your buns in. The metal works a lot better in steaming the bottom whereas if you use ceramic, the bottom can end up gummy and undercooked.

Once you've shaped out each bun, let it rest in a warm environment for 15 to 30 minutes. ( I will preheat my steamer to a slightly warmer temperature for the buns to proof there. This is when the buns may continue to rise.

Finally, after the 15 - 30 minutes are up, steam for 20 minutes. You can honestly steam however long you like. It's really hard to overcook buns in the steamer. Just make sure you have enough water. I tend to steam for a little bit longer because that will never hurt. 

Once the time is up, close the fire and tilt the lid so that there is a slight crack between the lid and the steamer. Immediately removing the lid can cause pressure changes that will deflate the bread. 

DONE!!~!~!~!~!~

Now your buns are ready to devour! Enjoy and have a wonderful day. :)

Finishing Thoughts

        With the addition of fragrant pumpkin spice, Chinese steamed pumpkin mantou becomes an irresistible autumnal treat that warms both body and soul. The fluffy texture, gentle sweetness, and cozy spice blend create a harmonious symphony of flavors that will transport you to the heart of fall. So, surrender to the allure of this comforting delight, let the fragrance of pumpkin spice envelop you, and immerse yourself in the cozy comforts of autumn. Indulge in every bite, savor the warmth, and embrace the joy of the season—one steamed pumpkin mantou at a time.