Kkotppang (Flower-shaped Steamed Buns)

Steps

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1. 1
   Prepare warm water by boiling 1.5 cups of water, turning off the heat, adding 1 cup of cold water, then adding another 1.25 cups of warm water to reach the ideal temperature for activating yeast.
   ▶ ≈1:35
2. 2
   Mix 1 tablespoon of sugar and 1.5 teaspoons of salt into the warm water.
   ▶ ≈2:11
3. 3
   Add 2 teaspoons of active dry yeast and stir until the yeast is dissolved.
   ▶ ≈2:18
4. 4
   Gradually add 2 cups of flour to the wet mixture and stir until combined into a rough dough.
   ▶ ≈2:46
5. 5
   Wash your hands and knead the dough on a work surface for about 1 minute until it becomes smooth and elastic.
   ▶ ≈3:23
6. 6
   Place the dough in a bowl, cover it with a lid, and let it rise in a warm place for 1 to 1.5 hours until it doubles in size.
   ▶ ≈3:40
7. 7
   Knead the dough again on the work surface for about 1 minute until it becomes softer and more refined.
   ▶ ≈4:20
8. 8
   Return the dough to the bowl, cover, and let it rest for another hour until ready to shape.
   ▶ ≈4:50
9. 9
   Flour a work surface, remove the risen dough, and stretch it out with your hands or a rolling pin into a large round sheet approximately 13-14 inches in diameter and 0.5 cm thick.
   ▶ ≈5:03
10. 10
    Brush 2 tablespoons of vegetable oil evenly over the dough sheet, leaving about 1 inch around the edge without oil to seal the spiral.
    ▶ ≈6:38
11. 11
    Sprinkle a pinch of sugar over the oiled surface, then tightly roll the dough from the edge inward into a long spiral.
    ▶ ≈7:06
12. 12
    Coil the spiral into a flat spiral or disc shape and place it on a steamer tray lined with a damp cloth, centering it carefully with chopsticks.
    ▶ ≈7:41
13. 13
    Lightly brush the shaped dough with vegetable oil, cover the steamer with its lid, and let it rise for about 40 minutes.
    ▶ ≈9:03
14. 14
    Add boiling water to the steamer pot, place the steamer tray with the shaped dough on top, and steam over high heat for 10 minutes until the bun is fully cooked.
    ▶ ≈9:19
15. 15
    Turn off the heat and carefully remove the steamer. Let the steamed bun cool slightly before serving. If storing, freeze and re-steam for 5-10 minutes before eating.
    ▶ ≈9:53