Homemade Twisted Bread (Ma Hua) Tutorial with Pictures157

Hello fellow food enthusiasts! Today, we’re diving into the delightful world of homemade ma hua (麻花), a classic Chinese twisted bread that's both incredibly delicious and surprisingly easy to make at home. Forget those store-bought versions – this recipe will guide you through creating perfectly golden, crispy, and subtly sweet treats that will impress your family and friends. This tutorial is complete with step-by-step pictures to make the process even clearer.

Ma hua, often described as a type of fried bread twist, boasts a unique texture. The outside is a delightfully crisp shell, while the inside remains soft and slightly chewy. This delightful contrast is what makes ma hua so addictive. While the traditional recipe can seem daunting at first glance, with clear instructions and visuals, you'll find it's a manageable and rewarding baking experience.

Ingredients You'll Need:

Before we begin our ma hua adventure, let's gather the necessary ingredients. These are all readily available at most grocery stores.

For the Dough:
250g (2 cups) all-purpose flour, plus extra for dusting
5g (1 tsp) active dry yeast
5g (1 tsp) sugar
2g (1/2 tsp) salt
125ml (1/2 cup) warm water (around 105-115°F)
1 tbsp vegetable oil (plus extra for frying)

For the Frying:
Vegetable oil, for deep frying

(Optional) For added flavor, consider adding a pinch of sesame seeds to the dough.

Step-by-Step Instructions with Pictures:

(Insert image here: Step 1 - Combining dry ingredients. Show a bowl with flour, yeast, sugar, and salt.)

Step 1: Preparing the Dough In a large bowl, combine the flour, yeast, sugar, and salt. Ensure the ingredients are evenly distributed.

(Insert image here: Step 2 - Adding warm water and oil. Show gradually adding the warm water and oil to the dry ingredients.)

Step 2: Adding Wet Ingredients Gradually add the warm water and vegetable oil to the dry ingredients. Mix with a wooden spoon or your hands until a shaggy dough forms.

(Insert image here: Step 3 - Kneading the dough. Show kneading the dough on a lightly floured surface until it becomes smooth and elastic.)

Step 3: Kneading the Dough Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-7 minutes, or until the dough becomes smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour, a teaspoon at a time.

(Insert image here: Step 4 - First rise. Show the dough rising in a lightly oiled bowl covered with plastic wrap.)

Step 4: First Rise Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.

(Insert image here: Step 5 - Punching down the dough. Show punching down the risen dough to release the air.)

Step 5: Punching Down the Dough Once risen, gently punch down the dough to release the air.

(Insert image here: Step 6 - Dividing the dough. Show dividing the dough into smaller, equal-sized pieces.)

Step 6: Dividing the Dough Divide the dough into several smaller, equal-sized pieces (about 20-25g each). Roll each piece into a long, thin rope (about 12-15 inches long).

(Insert image here: Step 7 - Twisting the dough. Show the process of twisting two ropes together to form the ma hua shape.)

Step 7: Twisting the Dough Take two ropes and twist them together tightly, then form a loose circle by connecting the ends. Repeat with the remaining dough pieces.

(Insert image here: Step 8 - Deep frying the ma hua. Show the ma hua frying in hot oil, turning occasionally to ensure even browning.)

Step 8: Deep Frying Heat about 2 inches of vegetable oil in a deep pot or wok to 350°F (175°C). Carefully add the twisted dough pieces to the hot oil, making sure not to overcrowd the pot. Fry for about 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crispy. Turn occasionally to ensure even cooking.

(Insert image here: Step 9 - Draining the ma hua. Show the finished ma hua drained on paper towels.)

Step 9: Draining Remove the fried ma hua from the oil and place them on a wire rack or paper towels to drain excess oil.

(Insert image here: Step 10 - Finished ma hua. Show a plate of golden, crispy ma hua, ready to be enjoyed.)

Step 10: Enjoy! Once cooled slightly, your homemade ma hua is ready to be enjoyed! They are delicious on their own, or you can sprinkle them with sugar or sesame seeds for extra flavor.

Enjoy your delicious homemade ma hua! Remember to experiment with different flavors and techniques to create your own unique twist on this classic treat. Happy baking!

2025-03-08

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