Banana Leaf Steamed Cinnamon Buns

Happy New Month!

April started well this side with a killer Instagram April Fools prank! A lot of people thought it was real (let me know in the comments below if you fell for it too.) I feel like 2018 is going to be the year where I get to try to fulfill a lot of things on my to-do list. For example these rolls. I have always wondered what would happen if the wildly popular cinnamon rolls were steamed . Well I have the results to show you today!
Firstly, if you have had steamed buns before, just know that they texture will be similar but on a sweeter side. The bread is fully fluffed by the steam and is soft and tender to the touch. I am sure if you do make them, it will not be the last time you do!

What you will need:

Dough

3 C. Baking flour

1 C. Whole wheat flour

¼ C +2 Tbsp. Sugar

1 Tsp. Vanilla Extract

1 C. Milk (warm enough for the yeast to rise)

¼ C. Oil

2 Eggs

2 ½ Tsp. Active dry yeast

A pinch of salt

Filling

¼ C. Ground Cinnamon

¼ C. Sugar

Observations:

I used a rice cooker steamer to steam these buns. You can use a regular pan by using the matooke steaming method ( adding enough banana stalks and leaves at the bottom of the pan so that what you are steaming does not touch water.)
For non stick paper (baking paper works really well!), I used banana leaves because I love the flavor they add to the buns

Method

Stir sugar in the milk. Add yeast and set aside for 5 minutes. Sift the flour in a bowl. Add the 2 tablespoons of sugar and salt and mix well. In a separate bowl, whisk eggs, oil and vanilla extract till it becomes thick. Once the yeast has become frothy, pour the egg-oil mixture in the yeasted milk and stir well. Pour the mixture in the flour and mix using a fork. Knead with your hands till dough is formed. Cover the bowl and set aside in a warm place for 60 minutes.

Mix the sugar and cinnamon together and set aside.

Once the 60 minutes are up and the dough has doubled in size, punch it and knead it some more for thirty seconds. Roll out the dough to about ½ an inch in thickness. Generously sprinkle the cinnamon sugar on the dough. Roll the dough into a think bun. Arrange the buns on a banana leaf and set aside and let the rolls rise for another 15-20 minutes.

Heat enough water in the steamer. once the water come to a boil, Add the buns. I had to steam one by one because the steamer is small. Let the bus team for 10-15 minutes or until they are springy to the touch. Makes 8 Large buns.