Coconut Buns (Chinese Cocktail Buns)

The Chinese bakery rampage continues, as we tackle traditional cocktail buns (also called or chicken tail buns, or gai mei bao) on the blog today. At every single large family gathering on my dad’s Cantonese side, someone would inevitably bring a Chinese bakery box full of pineapple buns, roast pork buns, hot dog buns, or plain buttery milk bread. Kids and parents alike would never fail to peek into the box and sneak a bite before dinner. Our love for these treats know no bounds, as evidenced by how many recipes we’ve sought to recreate in a whirlwind of flour, cream, and much swearing.