Chinese Longevity Peach Cakes
Chinese Longevity Peach Cakes (Shòutáo Bāo) are soft, fluffy steamed buns shaped like peaches and filled with smooth lotus seed or sweet bean paste. A traditional and symbolic birthday dessert, these festive buns represent long life and prosperity, making them perfect for celebrations and cultural gatherings.
- Prep Time: 25 minutes
- Rise Time: 1 hour 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Yield: 10 peach buns
- Category: Dessert / Dim Sum
- Method: Steaming
- Cuisine: Chinese
- Diet: Vegan
Ingredients
For the Dough:
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2 cups all-purpose flour
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2 teaspoons instant yeast
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1/2 cup warm water
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2 tablespoons sugar
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1 tablespoon neutral oil
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A few drops pink food coloring
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Green food coloring (optional, for leaves)
For the Filling:
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1 cup lotus seed paste or sweet mung bean paste (store-bought or homemade)
For Decoration (optional):
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Green and pink food coloring
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Small clean brush
Instructions
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In a mixing bowl, combine flour, instant yeast, sugar, and warm water. Stir until a dough forms.
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Knead for 8–10 minutes until smooth, adding oil halfway through.
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Cover with a damp cloth and let rise for 1 hour or until doubled in size.
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Divide dough into 10 equal pieces. Flatten each piece and place a spoonful of paste in the center. Seal and shape into a peach with a slight point at the top.
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Tint the top of each bun lightly with pink food coloring. Optionally paint on green leaves using a brush.
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Place buns on parchment squares and let rest for 20 minutes.
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Meanwhile, prepare a steamer. Steam buns over boiling water for 12–15 minutes.
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Turn off heat and let sit for 5 minutes before opening the lid to prevent collapse.
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Serve warm or at room temperature.
Notes
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Lotus seed paste and mung bean paste can be found at Asian grocery stores or made from scratch.
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Don’t skip the post-steam resting time to keep buns fluffy.
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Perfect for birthdays, Lunar New Year, or as a symbolic gift.
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Buns can be frozen before steaming and cooked fresh when needed.
Nutrition
- Calories: 190 kcal per bun
Find it online: https://yumfoodusa.com/chinese-longevity-peach-cakes/