Step 1

In small skillet or pot, whisk together flour, milk, and water until smooth. Bring to simmer over medium-low heat, whisking frequently, until mixture has thickened but is still pourable. It should take 5 – 10 minutes. Your whisk should leave a mark when dragged along the bottom of the pan.

Step 2

Pour into a bowl and cover surface with plastic wrap to prevent a film from forming, and allow to cool to room temperature.

Step 3

Mix together yeast, sugar, and warm milk and set aside for 5 minutes. The milk should feel comfortably warm to the touch, but not hot, otherwise it will kill your yeast. The mixture should become frothy and active if your yeast is alive. If there are no signs of activity, throw it out and try again.

Step 4

Combine flour, egg, milk & yeast mixture, 1/2 cup of tangzhong, and salt in a mixing bowl. Using a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook attachment, mix on medium speed until just combined. While the stand mixer is running, slowly add the pieces of softened butter until completely incorporated. Knead for another 15 - 20 minutes on medium speed until the dough is smooth and passes the window pane test.

Step 5

Shape the dough into a ball and place in a lightly greased bowl. Cover and let rise for about 1 hour until doubled in size.

Step 6

In a sauce pan or skillet, add the milk. Slice the vanilla bean in half, scrape out the filling, and add the filling and the bean to the milk. Bring to a simmer on medium heat, stirring constantly. Remove from heat and let steep for 30 minutes to absorb the flavor.

Step 7

Add the egg yolks, sugar, corn starch, and salt to a mixing bowl. Whisk together until the egg is light and fluffy and falls in ribbons off the whisk.

Step 8

Slowly pour the hot milk mixture into the eggs, whisking as you pour. After all the milk has been added, return the mixture to the pan. Cook on medium heat, whisking constantly, until the cream has thickened. Remove from heat and stir in the butter until well incorporated. Pass through a fine mesh sieve to remove any lumps, and cover with plastic wrap. The plastic wrap should touch the top of the cream to prevent a film from forming. Let cool for 30 minutes, then place in the fridge to finish cooling.

Step 9

Line a baking tray with parchment paper

Step 10

After the dough has doubled in size, punch it down to release air and turn onto a floured countertop. Divide into 12 equal pieces (~62g each in weight) and shape each piece into a smooth ball. Place the balls on a baking tray spaced about 2 inches apart.

Step 11

Whisk together egg and milk to make an egg wash. Brush the tops of the buns right after you shape them. Set aside the egg wash to use again right before baking. This helps provide a deep golden brown color in the oven.

Step 12

Cover the buns and let them proof for another 30 - 45 minutes. When you poke your finger into the dough, it should come back about halfway when it's ready to bake. Towards the end of the proof, preheat the oven to 350°F.

Step 13

Once the buns are proofed, brush again with egg wash. Place in the middle rack of the oven and bake for 15 - 18 minutes until golden brown and they make a hollow sound when tapped. Remove from the oven and place on a wire cooling rack to cool completely before filling.

Step 14

Use a butter knife or your finger to poke a hole into the bottom of each bun. Wiggle your finger around the inside of the bun to make room for the cream.

Step 15

Pour the heavy whipping cream into a mixing bowl and whip until stiff peaks form. Gently fold the cream into the pastry cream until evenly distributed.

Step 16

Place into a piping bag fitted with a 1/4 tip. Place the tip into the hole you made earlier and fill generously. Repeat for each bun.

Step 17

Add about 1/3 cup of sugar to a small skillet and cook over medium heat until the sugar dissolves and turns golden brown. Remove from heat and gently dip the top of each bun into the sugar, being careful to avoid touching the caramel with your fingers. You may need to tilt the skillet so that the caramel pools on one side. You'll be able to dip about 2 - 3 buns before the caramel hardens.

Step 18

Return the caramel to the stove, and reheat until it melts. Add about another 1/3 cup of sugar each time you reheat. Continue to dip the buns and reheat the caramel.

Step 19

Once buns are dipped into the caramel, they are best enjoyed on the same day.