Sweet Potato Mantou

I like to use sweet potato to make bread and ondeh ondeh. Sweet potato makes them really soft. Today, I tried using sweet potato to make mantou (steam buns). My daughter asked if we could try rose shape instead of the usual mantou shape. We watched a few youtube videos to familiarize ourselves with the steps. I think it wasn't too bad for our first attempt and the rose mantou are so soft and yummy.  

Ingredients (makes 10 pieces)
130g orange flesh sweet potato (with skin )
25g fresh milk
30g castor sugar
1/2 teaspoon instant yeast
200g plain flour
20g vegetable oil

Method

1. Peel and steam the sweet potato for about 15 minutes or till soft. Mash the sweet potato and set aside to cool.

2. Add milk, sugar, instant yeast, flour, oil and mashed sweet potato in a mixing bowl. Knead till smooth. I used a mixer and it took about 10 minutes. The dough also passed the windowpane test.

3. Cover and let the dough rest for about 20-30 minutes.

4. The whole dough weighed about 400g . Roll the dough into a log. Cut 20 pieces of 20g dough and roll in balls. 

5. Roll out 4 pieces into thin round shape.  Lay the 4 round doughs such that the overlap each other. (you can also make 5 layers, but you have to cut the dough into smaller pieces)

6. Start rolling from the top end to form a log shape.

7. Use a knife and cut the log into halves. That makes 2 rose mantou.

8. Place them on a piece of parchment paper or muffin liner. Gently open up the petals slightly. Place them in the steamer and cover. Repeat with the rest of the doughs.

9. Let the rose mantou rest for about 20-30 minutes. They will expand slightly.

10. Bring water to a boil in the steamer. Steam the mantou using high heat for 15 minutes.

11. The mantou will expand quite a bit while steaming. Once done, remove cover and let them cool slightly.

12. Best to serve warm. The mantou is very soft and mildly sweet. You can freeze any leftover and steam them again before serving.