Prep time: 15 mins  
Cooking time: n/a
Serves: 6

Ingredients:

For Baos:

• 2.5 cups (300g) plain flour
• 1 tsp (5g) baking powder
• 1.5 tsp (5g) active dry yeast
• 2 Tbsp (25g) white sugar
• 2 Tbsp (30ml) neutral oil
• 1/3 cup (80ml) milk
• 1/3 cup + 1 Tbsp (100ml) water

For the Filling:

• 500g beef mince
• 6 slices American-style cheese (or any melty cheese)
• 12 slices pickles
• 1/2 brown onion (finely diced and soaked in water for 15 minutes)
• To serve: ketchup and American mustard

Cooking Instructions:

1. To make the baos, add the flour, baking powder, yeast, sugar and oil to a stand mixing bowl set with the dough hook attachment. Heat the milk and water until very warm then pour into the mixing bowl. Mix on low-medium speed for about 10 mins or until a smooth dough ball forms.
2. Place in an oiled bowl, cover and proof for about 1 hr or until doubled in size. Punch the dough down and knead it a few times to get some air out, then divide into 6 even pieces. Form your hand into a claw then roll the dough in a circular motion until smooth.
3. Place on a lined steamer, spray with some water, cover then rest for a further 30-45 mins (or until about 50% larger in size).
4. To cook the baos, place the covered steamer on a pot/wok filled with some water and heat over medium-high. When the water starts boiling, turn the heat to medium and steam baos for 12 minutes. Turn off the heat and leave the baos to rest over the water for a further 5 minutes.
5. To make the beef patties, roll the mince into 6 equal balls then press flat to form patties. Heat an oiled cast iron pan over medium-high heat, sprinkle one side of the patties with salt and pepper and cook on that side for 2 minutes. Salt and pepper the other side then flip and cook for a further 2 minutes, adding a slice of cheese to the top so it melts.
6. To assemble, slice a bao in half then spread some ketchup on both sides. Add the cooked beef patty to one bun, then add the mustard, 2 pickles and onions to the other bun. Press together to form the bao, assemble the other baos similarly then devour!