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    Home » Recipes » Breads & Buns

    Hojicha Chestnut Flower Buns

    Published: Jan 25, 2021 by Michelle · 16 Comments

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    Jump to Recipe - Print Recipe

    These Hojicha Chestnut Flower Buns feature a soft and fluffy roasted tea-flavoured bun filled with a sweet chestnut filling.

    Disclosure: This post is sponsored by Hojicha Co. All images and opinions expressed are solely my own. Thank you for supporting brands that help make Sift & Simmer possible! 

    Hojicha Chestnut Flower Bun on pink plate.
    These Hojicha Chestnut Flower Buns are whimsical and fun -- they're filled with a homemade chestnut paste and are lovely for breakfast or a snack.

    They are a tea-flavoured baked bun with a unique shape.

    What is hojicha?

    Hojicha is a roasted green tea that is deep, rich and smoky in flavour.

    I love enjoying pairing hojicha with nutty flavours, such as in a warm Black Sesame Oat Latte, or with other teas, such as matcha... like this Mini Triple Layer Matcha & Hojicha Burnt Basque Cheesecake.

    Hojicha Chestnut Flower Buns on plates.

    What are chestnuts?

    Chestnuts are an edible nut from the Fagaceae family.

    They are brown in colour and have an outer "skin" which is very hard to peel.

    Chestnuts are nutritious and versatile. They can be steamed, boiled, roasted, and used in sweet and savoury recipes.

    Note that they are different than water chestnuts, which are also commonly used in Asian cuisine.

    What do chestnuts taste like?

    Roasted chestnuts have a lightly sweet, earthy, nutty taste.

    Where to find roasted chestnuts?

    For this recipe, I used pre-packaged roasted chestnuts from the supermarket.

    They are convenient to use and are shelf-stable for a long period of time.

    Ingredients you'll need

    For the buns:

    The soft dough is infused with hojicha (roasted green tea) powder which gives it a rich brown hue.

    • all-purpose flour: regular flour will work perfectly fine for these buns
    • hojicha powder: use a good quality hojicha powder such as Hojicha Co. for the best flavour
    • active dry yeast: the agent that makes the buns rise; if you use instant yeast, decrease the amount to 2g
    • granulated sugar: adds a little sweetness to the dough and helps activate the yeast; you can use whatever sweetener you prefer
    • non-dairy milk: I used almond milk for the buns, but you can use any milk that you have on hand
    • avocado oil: or any light vegetable oil; adds moisture to the buns
    • vanilla extract: adds a little extra flavour to the dough

    Hojicha Co. packaging on wooden board.

    For the chestnut filling:

    The filling is a lightly sweetened chestnut paste, simply made with:

    • chestnuts: I used roasted and peeled chestnuts that are available in vacuum-sealed packages. (You can find these at Asian/major supermarkets.) Then, I mashed the chestnuts with a fork.
    • maple syrup: or any type of sweetener you like; if you're not vegan, you can use honey.
    • avocado oil: or any light vegetable oil will work; adds moisture to the chestnuts and helps it bind together.

    I personally love a little texture from the chestnuts, so I leave it with some chunks. If you prefer a smoother texture, simply puree the chestnut filling in a food processor.

    Once the filling is made, divide it into 6 equal portions.

    Tip: Use a small ice cream scoop to portion the filling with ease.

    Close up of interior of flower petal bun.

    How to make the dough

    Make the dough by kneading all the ingredients together until smooth and elastic. You can use a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, or you can add the ingredients to a bowl and knead by hand.

    Note: This is a small amount of dough, so if your stand mixer bowl is a larger capacity, you may want to do this by hand.

    Transfer the dough to a lightly greased bowl and cover with a damp cloth. Leave it to rise in a warm location, until almost doubled in size.

    When the dough has risen, deflate the dough and divide into 6 equal portions.

    Roll out the dough into a disc, and place the chestnut filling in the centre. Gather and pinch the dough around the filling, similar to filling a steamed bun.

    Hojicha Chestnut Flower Bun on pink plate.
    How to shape the flower

    To attain the flower petal shape, flatten the filled bun into a disc, about 2cm in thickness.

    Don't flatten it too thinly or the filling will burst out.

    Place a small round mark (about 1cm in diameter) in the centre of the flattened bun. (You can use a wide straw to make a light indentation).

    Next, use a sharp paring knife and make 5 slits of equal distance around the circumference of the disc. You'll end up with 5 segments.

    Then pinch the tips of each segment together to form the petal.

    Preheat oven to 350F.

    Place the buns on to a parchment-lined baking sheet.

    Cover the buns with plastic wrap and leave until slightly puffy. It's better to underproof the dough so that the buns retain their shape.

    Bake the buns at 350F for 13-15 minutes.

    Hojicha Chestnut Flower Buns on plates.
    Filling substitutions

    Alternatively, you can use a red bean paste to fill these buns.

    I wouldn't recommend a "wet" filling such as a custard/cream as it may leak.

    Are they vegan?

    Like my Steamed Red Bean Paste Buns, these buns are completely vegan. 

    How to store & reheat

    Store the Hojicha Chestnut Flower Buns in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

    You can enjoy the buns at room temperature or reheat them in the microwave for 10-15 seconds and enjoy warm.

    The buns are delicate, but can be frozen in a freezer-safe container for up to 3 months.

    Other recipes you may like

    If you liked these buns, you may enjoy these other recipes:

    Hojicha Roll Cake

    Steamed Red Bean Buns

    Hojicha Matcha Swirl Bread

    Matcha Black Sesame Buns

    Mini Matcha & Hojicha Pancakes Cereal

    These Hojicha Chestnut Flower Buns are not only whimsical and pretty to look at, but they're a fun way to enjoy baked buns with a delicious (and nutritious) filling.

    Let me know if you try out this recipe -- tag me on Instagram @siftandsimmer or leave me a comment/rating below.

    Hojicha bun on pink plate.

    Print Recipe
    5 from 6 votes

    Hojicha Chestnut Flower Buns

    A warm and nutty roasted tea-flavoured bun filled with chestnut, shaped whimsically into flowers.
    Prep Time30 mins
    Cook Time15 mins
    Resting Time1 hr 30 mins
    Total Time2 hrs 18 mins
    Course: Breakfast, Snack
    Cuisine: Asian, Chinese, Japanese
    Servings: 6
    Calories: 145kcal
    Author: Michelle

    For accuracy and precision in baking recipes, use weight (metric) measurements when available.

    Ingredients

    Chestnut Filling

    • 100 g roasted and peeled chestnut mashed
    • 15 g avocado oil
    • 15 g maple syrup

    Hojicha Dough

    • 107 g non-dairy milk (I used almond milk) warm
    • 15 g granulated sugar
    • 3 g active dry yeast
    • 135 g all-purpose flour
    • 5 g hojicha powder
    • 15 g avocado oil
    • 2 ml vanilla extract

    Garnish

    • 1 teaspoon non-dairy milk
    • black sesame seeds optional
    Metric | US Customary
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    Make the chestnut filling:

    • Add the cooked chestnut into a small bowl.
    • Mash the chestnut with a fork, until it is in smaller pieces.
    • Add in the avocado oil and continue to mash, until it becomes almost paste-like.
    • Add in the maple syrup and mix to combine.
    • Divide into 6 equal portions, using a small ice cream scoop. Cover with plastic wrap until ready to use.
    • Note: If you prefer a smoother paste, transfer the mixture to a small food processor and pulse until smooth.

    Make the dough:

    • Heat the almond milk until it is lukewarm. Add in the sugar and yeast. Give the mixture a stir and leave it to become foamy.
    • Add the flour, hojicha, avocado oil and vanilla extract to a stand mixer bowl fitted with a dough hook.
    • Pour in the yeast mixture and knead until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.
    • This is a small amount of dough, so if your stand mixer bowl is a larger capacity, you may want to do this by hand. (Simply add all the ingredients into a bowl and knead by hand).
    • Lightly grease a small bowl and transfer the dough to it. Cover with a damp cloth. Leave it to rise in a warm location, until almost doubled in size.
    • When the dough has risen, deflate the dough and divide into 6 equal portions.
    • Roll out the dough into a disc and place the chestnut filling in the centre. Gather the dough around the filling and pinch the seams to enclose.
      Hojicha dough with chestnut filling
    • To attain the flower petal shape, flatten the filled bun into a disc with a rolling pin, about 2cm in thickness. Don't flatten it too thinly or the filling will burst out.
      Flattened hojicha buns.
    • Make a small round mark (about 1cm in diameter) in the centre of the flattened bun. (You can use a wide straw to make a light indentation).
    • Next, use a sharp paring knife and make 5 slits of equal distance around the circumference of the disc. You'll end up with 5 segments.
    • Then pinch the tips of each segment together to form the petals.
      Pinching the ends of the flower buns.
    • Repeat with the remaining dough.
    • Cover the buns loosely with plastic wrap or a damp cloth and let them rise in a warm location until just slightly puffy. [It's better to bake the buns slightly underproofed to retain their shape].
      Hojicha Flower Busn on baking tray.
    • Preheat the oven to 350°F/177°C.
    • Brush the centre of each flower bun with some milk and sprinkle on some black sesame seeds (for decoration).
    • Bake the buns at 350°F/177°C for 13-15 minutes.
    • Remove from the oven and let cool on a wire rack. Store buns in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 145kcal | Carbohydrates: 22g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 5g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 1mg | Potassium: 36mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 4g | Vitamin A: 3IU | Vitamin C: 1mg | Calcium: 7mg | Iron: 1mg

    The nutritional information provided should be considered as approximate and is not guaranteed. Please use your best judgment to ensure food is safely prepared and/or a good fit for your diet.

    Did you try this recipe?Mention @siftandsimmer or tag #siftandsimmer!
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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Christie

      January 25, 2021 at 2:10 pm

      5 stars
      That looks so delicious! I've never tried this before and I still need to try hojicha!

      Reply
      • Michelle

        January 25, 2021 at 6:31 pm

        Thanks Christie -- you'll have to get some hojicha to try soon! 🙂

    2. Heidi | The Frugal Girls

      January 25, 2021 at 3:28 pm

      That was such a smart idea to use the avocado oil. And I loved your idea to pair the hojicha with a nut... so perfect!

      Reply
      • Michelle

        January 25, 2021 at 6:31 pm

        Thanks so much Heidi! 🙂

    3. Caleb - Never Ending Journeys

      January 25, 2021 at 6:25 pm

      Very cool idea! I've never tried hojicha buns before, but they sound so tasty! Thanks for sharing this, such a yummy idea!

      Reply
      • Michelle

        January 25, 2021 at 6:31 pm

        Thank you Caleb! Hojicha is such a delicious flavour! 🙂

    4. Katherine | Love In My Oven

      January 25, 2021 at 7:46 pm

      5 stars
      These flower buns are so pretty, Michelle!! And they sound so flavorful!! I've never tried Hojicha in baking!

      Reply
      • Michelle

        January 26, 2021 at 8:11 am

        Thanks Katherine! 🙂 Hojicha is the new matcha 😉

    5. Katerina | Once a Foodie

      January 26, 2021 at 1:43 am

      5 stars
      These buns look too beautiful to eat! What beautiful shapes, Michelle. I love the idea of filling them with red bean paste too. Thanks for sharing!

      Reply
      • Michelle

        January 26, 2021 at 8:12 am

        Thanks Katerina! They are tasty with either filling! 🙂

    6. Raymund

      January 26, 2021 at 1:00 pm

      5 stars
      Wow! this is a good idea for those leftover chestnuts we had. Never tried anything like this before, so I learned something new today. I bet these would taste amazing

      Reply
      • Michelle

        January 27, 2021 at 8:26 pm

        Yes! It's a great way to use up those chestnuts! 🙂 Thanks Raymund.

    7. David @ Spiced

      January 28, 2021 at 4:12 am

      5 stars
      So I've never done much with chestnuts, and now I'm wondering why not. (We did get chestnuts and roast them in the fire one year - fun to say we did that, but one time was plenty. Haha!) I recently ordered some Hojicha tea after reading one of your recent posts. It's delightful! Now I'm intrigued by the Hojicha powder. What a beautifully presented treat!

      Reply
      • Michelle

        January 28, 2021 at 8:24 am

        Chestnuts definitely fall under the radar -- the roasting is fun, but the peeling... haha not so much! That's why I love the convenience of the packaged chestnuts. 🙂 Glad you've had a chance to enjoy some hojicha tea! Yay!

    8. 2pots2cook

      February 03, 2021 at 1:52 am

      5 stars
      We adore chestnuts ! This is our "must do ASAP" Thank you so much for this creative idea !

      Reply
      • Michelle

        February 03, 2021 at 7:15 am

        Glad to inspire, Davorka! 🙂

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