Introduction

These Easy Coffee & Almond Milk Steamed Buns with Creamy Coffee Paste Filling offer a delightful twist on traditional steamed buns. Soft, fluffy, and infused with rich coffee flavor, they make a perfect treat for breakfast or afternoon tea.

A soft, round, light brown steamed bun sits on a small piece of white paper on a white wooden square plate with a warm, natural texture. The top of the bun is smooth with a few scattered dark brown coffee beans adding a textured contrast. The plate rests on a white marbled surface, and a second bun on another plate is blurred in the background. photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Ingredients

4 cups bread flour (480 g), sifted and leveled
1 tsp instant yeast
3 Tbsp granulated sugar
1/2 tsp salt
1 1/2 tsp baking powder
1 1/3 cups unsweetened almond milk (320 g), unsweetened original
2 Tbsp instant coffee granules
1 Tbsp light olive oil (or melted coconut oil or avocado oil)
500 g coffee bean paste

Instructions

Step 1: Heat the almond milk in a microwave-safe bowl or glass measuring cup until hot, about 2 minutes.
Step 2: Stir the instant coffee granules into the hot almond milk until completely dissolved. Let cool until warm but not hot, then set aside.
Step 3: In the bowl of a stand mixer, mix the bread flour, instant yeast, sugar, salt, and baking powder.
Step 4: Pour the warm coffee almond milk into the dry ingredients.
Step 5: Knead the dough on a low setting (speed 2) for about 1 minute until mostly combined.
Step 6: Add the olive oil and continue kneading for 8 to 10 minutes, until the dough forms a smooth, supple ball and pulls away from the bowl.
Step 7: If needed, adjust the dough with 1-2 tablespoons extra almond milk or bread flour depending on flour protein content and kitchen conditions.
Step 8: Remove the dough from the mixer and place it in a lightly greased bowl.
Step 9: Cover the bowl and let the dough rise until doubled in size, about 60 to 90 minutes.
Step 10: Punch down the dough, then place it on a floured surface and divide into 12 to 14 equal pieces.
Step 11: Wrap each dough piece around a portion of the coffee bean paste filling, then place each bun on a square of parchment or steamer paper.
Step 12: Cover the buns and let them rise for 20 to 30 minutes.
Step 13: Meanwhile, boil water and prepare your steamer.
Step 14: Transfer the buns to the steaming pan and steam for 15 minutes.
Step 15: Serve and enjoy your coffee-flavored steamed buns fresh and warm.

Tips & Variations

You can substitute granulated sugar with brown sugar or coconut sugar for a deeper flavor.
If you don’t have instant coffee granules, strong brewed espresso can be reduced and used instead.
For a dairy alternative, almond milk works well, but oat or soy milk can also be used.
Try swapping olive oil with melted coconut or avocado oil for a subtle flavor variation.

Storage

Store steamed buns well wrapped at room temperature for up to 1 day. For longer storage, place the buns in a plastic freezer bag or airtight container and freeze for up to 3 months. To enjoy, defrost at room temperature or steam them again for 10 minutes to refresh.

How to Serve

The image shows a close-up of a soft, steamed bun torn open to reveal a thick, smooth light brown filling inside. The bun's dough is pale beige and fluffy with a slightly spongy texture, broken into two uneven parts. The filling looks dense and creamy, taking up the whole inside of the bun. The torn bun rests on a dark wooden tray with a few scattered dark brown coffee beans around it. The background features a white marbled texture. Photo taken with an iphone --ar 4:5 --v 7

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.

FAQs

Can I use regular milk instead of almond milk?

Yes, regular milk can be used if you’re not avoiding dairy. It will still create soft steamed buns but may change the flavor slightly.

What can I use if I don’t have coffee bean paste?

You can use sweetened red bean paste, black sesame paste, or even chocolate spread as an alternative filling for a different but delicious taste.