Asian Sweet Roll Pig in a Blanket

An Asian-style pig in a blanket is a hot dog wrapped in a soft, fluffy, sweet bun, just like the ones in Chinatown. It’s such a treat and great for lunch, an easy dinner, or party finger food.

My son is going to love me when he comes home tonight! We have always bought sweet hot dog buns from the bakeries in Chinatown. I never thought I could duplicate them at home. At last, the day has come. I made these beauties tonight! Houston, we have a touchdown! 

My son has always loved the Asian hot dog buns. Ever since he was a little child, my husband and I have always brought him something whenever we went to Chinatown. What makes them different than regular pigs in a blanket is the bun. They are unmistakably softer, fluffier, and sweeter.

For a mock version of the recipe, you can always add sugar (up to 1/3 cup for 3 cups of flour) to any soft dinner roll recipe and wrap it around a hot dog (which I have done before). While it is good, it is not the same. To really experience the uniqueness of an Asian-style bun, the dough must be made using a secret ingredient. The result is completely worth the little bit of effort.

What makes the hot dog bun different is the tangzhong. It is essentially a flour-and-water roux. Adding it to the dough creates an exceptionally soft bread. The recipe below is a combination of two recipes I found: one from Instructables by sauwen and the other from i am a foodblog.

The recipe might seem complex at first, but it is not. Take it from someone who attempted handmade yeast bread only a handful of times in her life. It is time-consuming only because it involves quite a bit of resting time, but it is not as labor-intensive as it seems.

The best part is that all of the mixing is done in the stand mixer. No shoulder aching, back-breaking, or hand kneading required!

To begin the whole process, the tangzhong needs to be made. This is the secret sauce that turns a regular bun into something wonderful.

This is the desired consistency. The mixture should leave an indentation that does not fall into itself when a spoon is dragged through it.

For the dough, wet and dry ingredients are incorporated and mixed together (no butter).

The butter is added when the dough gets to this point.

The finished dough is slightly sticky. It should make a round hole when poked with a finger. If the hole doesn’t hold its shape, knead it for a minute or two and repeat the hole test.

Time to proof until doubled in size.

Divide the dough into six pieces and let it rest for a quick 15-minute proof.

Next, wrap up and ready for the final proof.

Make them pretty with a brush of egg wash before baking.

Gorgeous little piggies straight from the oven!

A little taste of Chinatown at home! Made with love from the best mom ever…tonight!

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Asian Sweet Roll Pig in a Blanket

Author: In Good Flavor Cooking Method:Baking Cuisine:Asian Inspired Courses:Main

Difficulty:BeginnerPrep time: 45 minutesCook time: 20 minutesRest time:1 hour 45 minutesTotal time:2 hours 50 minutesServings:6 servingsCalories:NA kcal Best Season:Summer

Description

An Asian-style pig in a blanket is a hot dog wrapped in a soft, fluffy, sweet bun, just like the ones in Chinatown. It’s such a treat and great for lunch, an easy dinner, or party finger food.

Ingredients

• 2 1/2 cups bread flour
• 4 tbsp. sugar
• 1 large egg, room temperature
• 1/2 cup warm milk
• 1/2 cup tangzhong, room temperature
• 2 tsp. instant yeast
• 3 tbsp. butter (cut into several pieces at room temperature)
• 6 hot dogs
• 1 egg (whisked to use for egg wash)

For the tangzhong:

• 1/3 cup bread flour
• 1 cup water

Instructions

1. To make the tangzhong, whisk the flour and water in a saucepan to combine, breaking up any lumps. Place on the stovetop and whisk over medium heat until the mixture thickens. At around the five-minute mark, the mixture begins to thicken quickly. At this point, whisk constantly to prevent lumps. For the next 2 to 3 minutes, periodically take the pan off the heat and drag a spoon through the mixture. It is done if it leaves lines or swirls in the mixture that do not fall into itself. Remove from heat. Allow it to come to room temperature. Unused tangzhong can be kept in the refrigerator, covered in plastic wrap, for up to three days.
2. Combine the dry ingredients for the bread in a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook. Make a well in the dry ingredients and add the milk, egg, and tangzhong. Mix until the dough comes together. Add butter. Knead on level 2 or 4 for at least 10 minutes. The sound of dough slapping up against the bowl is an indicator that it is getting close to being ready.
3. Spray hands with cooking spray before handling. Gently stretch the dough with your hands. Properly kneaded dough should form a membrane. Poke the membrane with a finger. If the hole forms a circle, the dough is ready. If the hole is irregularly shaped, return to the mixer and knead for a minute or so. Repeat the hole test.
4. Form dough into a ball and place in a large greased bowl to proof. Cover with a plastic wrap and let stand in a warm, non-drafty area for 45 minutes.
5. Spray hands with cooking spray. Working in the bowl, punch down the dough a few times, then knead it with the palms of your hands for 1 minute to expel any gas.
6. Divide into six equal parts and stretch the dough to slightly elongate it. Place on a greased, flat surface. Cover with a greased plastic wrap and allow to rise again for 15 minutes.
7. Stretch the dough to 2.5 times the hot dog’s length. Wrap dough around each hot dog. Place on a greased cookie sheet. Cover it with a greased plastic wrap and allow it to proof until it doubles in size, for about 45 minutes.
8. Whisk a couple of teaspoons of water and an egg until well blended. Brush over buns. Bake in a preheated oven at 350° F for about 20 minutes, or until golden brown.
9. Makes 6 hot dog buns.

Notes

• Adapted from Instructables by Sauwen and the other from I Am a Foodblog
• Refrigerated hot dog buns are best served warmed in the microwave for 20 to 30 seconds.

Keywords:Asian style pig in a blanket, Asian finger foods, Asian sausage rolls, Asian bakery sausage rolls, Asian hot dog buns, Chinatown hot dog buns

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