This brown sugar steamed bun features a beautifully soft, dense texture and a deeply rich, caramel-like sweetness. Made without dairy or eggs, it combines mineral-rich Japanese brown sugar (kokutou) and molasses to pack every bite with calcium, iron, and magnesium. Best of all, it’s incredibly quick and easy—just mix the ingredients in order and steam. Give this wholesome recipe a try at home!
Brown Sugar Steamed Buns Recipe
Ingredients for 6
Prep: 15 mins Cook:15 mins
○ Plain flour … 150g
○ Baking powder … 5g
○ Japanese Kokutou sugar (or brown sugar if unavailable)… 60g
○ Beet sugar … 20g
○ Molasses … 15g
○ Rapeseed oil … 15g
○ Soy milk … 150g
○ Apple cider vinegar … 15g (if unavailable, any vinegar will do)
○ Soy sauce … 5g
Step-by-step instructions
[1] Sift brown sugar into a bowl. Add beet sugar, molasses and rapeseed oil.
[2] In a separate bowl, combine soy milk, apple cider vinegar and soy sauce.
After a short while, you’ll see that it starts to thicken like this.
[3] Add the liquid from step ② to the bowl from step ① and mix well with a whisk.
*If the molasses doesn’t dissolve easily, warm it slightly in a water bath until it’s completely dissolved!
[4] Measure the flour and baking powder into a large bowl. Add the liquid from step ③ and mix well.
[5] Pour the batter into the cups until they are about three-quarters full.
*Be careful not to overfill them, or they will spill over!
[6] Fill a deep saucepan with about 2 cm of water. Arrange the cups containing the batter in the pan and cover with a lid wrapped in a tea towel. Steam for 15–20 minutes over gently bubbling water, until a bamboo skewer inserted into the batter comes out clean.
*The steam is very hot, so please take great care not to burn yourself!
[7] Once it has cooled down a bit, it’s ready!
These steamed buns made with brown sugar have a subtle, gentle sweetness. Enjoy!
Nutritional benefits
Japanese Kokutou sugar
Kokutou, or Japanese brown sugar, is unrefined sugar loved for its natural sweetness. Because it is made simply by boiling down pure sugarcane juice, it is packed with minerals and vitamins.
Rich in minerals
It contains a balanced mix of essential nutrients such as calcium, potassium, magnesium, and iron. The fact that you can get iron to help prevent anaemia is a wonderful bonus.
Prevents sharp spikes in blood sugar
It has a lower GI (glycaemic index) than white sugar, meaning the energy is absorbed more slowly.
Deep, rich sweetness
It has a subtle, caramel-like aroma that adds a deep flavour when used in baking or making bread.
Molasses
Molasses is a thick syrup produced during the sugar refining process, characterised by a deep, rich sweetness similar to kokuto. Unlike regular sugar, it is packed with vitamins and minerals, drawing attention as a highly nutritious superfood sweetener.(*3)
Rich in iron, perfect for preventing anaemia
Molasses contains high amounts of iron, making it a highly recommended sweetener. Blackstrap molasses, in particular, is known for its exceptional nutritional value, as calcium, magnesium, and iron become highly concentrated.
Abundant in calcium and magnesium for strong bones and teeth
It supports bone health, making it an excellent option for growing children or those concerned about osteoporosis.
Low GI to prevent sharp spikes in blood sugar
Because it has a lower glycaemic index than regular white sugar, it can be expected to help prevent sudden spikes in blood sugar levels.
With a flavour profile similar to kokuto, it works beautifully to add depth to cooking and baking, pairing exceptionally well with spiced baked goods like gingerbread cookies. It is also commonly used in the boiling liquid for bagels to give them their classic rich colour.
References
*2 砂糖の副産物が次なるトレンドフード！？モラセスのパワーを検証｜オリーブオイルをひとまわし
*3 Everything you need to know about molasses|Medical News Today
Brown Sugar Steamed Buns-Soft and Fluffy!
Ingredients
- 150 g Plain flour
- 5 g Baking powder
- 60 g Japanese Kokutou sugar or brown sugar if unavailable
- 20 g Beet sugar
- 15 g Molasses
- 15 g Rapeseed oil
- 150 Soy milk
- 15 g Apple cider vinegar
- 5 g Soy sauce
Instructions
- Sift brown sugar into a bowl. Add beet sugar, molasses and rapeseed oil.
- In a separate bowl, combine soy milk, apple cider vinegar and soy sauce.
- After a short while, you’ll see that it starts to thicken like this.
- Add the liquid from step 2 to the bowl from step 1 and mix well with a whisk.*If the molasses doesn’t dissolve easily, warm it slightly in a water bath until it’s completely dissolved!
- Measure the flour and baking powder into a large bowl. Add the liquid from step 2 and mix well.
- Pour the batter into the cups until they are about three-quarters full.*Be careful not to overfill them, or they will spill over!
- Fill a deep saucepan with about 2 cm of water. Arrange the cups containing the batter in the pan and cover with a lid wrapped in a tea towel. Steam for 15–20 minutes over gently bubbling water,, until a bamboo skewer inserted into the batter comes out clean.*The steam is very hot, so please take great care not to burn yourself!
- Once it has cooled down a bit, it’s ready!
- These steamed buns made with brown sugar have a subtle, gentle sweetness. Enjoy!
