• Heat water to 110 degrees. Add yeast and water to a stand mixer bowl, agitate gently, and let sit for 10-15 minutes to activate. You should see the top covered in bubbles.
• Separately add the remaining ingredients, but don’t mix it. Turn the mixer on low and add the bloomed yeast water in three stages while mixing (you can also mix by hand in a large bowl). Allow the dough to form and come together, about seven minutes or until the dough pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
• Cover the bowl with a warm, damp towel and allow the dough to rise for 20 minutes.
• Punch down the dough and form it into golf ball-size pieces. Allow to rest. Using a rolling pin, flatten the first piece and roll from the outside to the center. Rotate a quarter turn and repeat until the dough is one-quarter inch thick in the center and the edges are slightly thinner.

To Stuff

• Place about a half cup of cool filling into the center of the dough. Place the dough in your hand and pull one side to the top. To create the pleated closure, create a half-inch pleat at an angle folding to the center, then pinch to close. Go the same direction to the center, overlapping the previous pleat, and continue until the top is closed. Squeeze and twist slightly to seal.

To Steam

• Have a bamboo or steamer basket steaming. Use parchment paper witha few slits cut in it or oil the bottom of the bun slightly. Place the buns inthe steamer, making sure to leave about one and a half inches betweenthem to leave room for the buns to expand. Steam for nine minutes.Remove and allow to cool slightly before eating.

To Fry

• Once the bun is stuffed press the top down slightly — this will aid in cooking uniformly.
• Preheat a saute pan over medium-low heat, and add enough oil to coat the bottom of the pan. Add the bun and cook until golden brown, flip and repeat. The whole process should take about eight to ten minutes, so the outside is fully cooked and the inside is cooked all the way through.
• Once the bao bun has cooled slightly, you can eat it as is or serve it with a sweet or savory dipping sauce.