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Chinese Brown Sugar Bread (Guo Kui) Recipe

5 Stars 4 Stars 3 Stars 2 Stars 1 Star 4.1 from 69 reviews
  • Author: Kimberly
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 30 minutes
  • Total Time: 1 hour 50 minutes
  • Yield: 8 slices
  • Category: Bread
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Chinese
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

Chinese Brown Sugar Bread, also known as Guo Kui, is a soft and sweet homemade bread featuring a delightful cinnamon and brown sugar filling. This traditional Chinese treat is easy to make and perfect for breakfast or an afternoon snack. The bread has a tender crumb with a caramelized sugary swirl, baked to golden perfection and lightly brushed with butter for extra richness.

Ingredients

Dough

  • 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 1/4 cup warm water
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • 2 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/4 teaspoon salt
  • 3/4 cup warm milk
  • 2 tablespoons vegetable oil

Filling

  • 1/2 cup brown sugar, packed
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Finishing

  • 1 tablespoon melted butter for brushing

Instructions

  1. Activate yeast: In a small bowl, dissolve the yeast and granulated sugar in warm water. Let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes until the mixture becomes foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
  2. Make dough: In a large bowl, combine the flour and salt. Add the yeast mixture, warm milk, and vegetable oil. Mix everything until a soft dough forms.
  3. Knead dough: Transfer the dough to a lightly floured surface and knead for 8 to 10 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.
  4. First rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it, and allow it to rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.
  5. Prepare filling and shape dough: Punch down the risen dough and roll it out into a rectangle about 1/2 inch thick. Mix brown sugar and cinnamon together, then sprinkle this mixture evenly over the dough. Roll the dough tightly into a log shape and form it into a round or oval loaf.
  6. Second rise: Place the shaped loaf on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Cover and let it rest for 20 minutes to rise slightly before baking.
  7. Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Brush the top of the loaf lightly with melted butter. Bake for 25 to 30 minutes until the bread is golden brown and cooked through.
  8. Cool and serve: Remove from the oven and let the bread cool slightly on a wire rack before slicing and serving.

Notes

  • For a softer texture, brush the top with additional melted butter immediately after baking.
  • Guo Kui can also be steamed instead of baked to achieve a chewier texture.

Find it online: https://slsrecipes.com/chinese-brown-sugar-bread-guo-kui-recipe/