Shanghai Da Bing Sesame Pancake 上海大饼
This Shanghai da bing (大饼) is our version of the famous Shanghai breakfast of da bing and you tiao. Shanghai da bing (sesame pancake) and you tiao (fried dough) is the preferred breakfast of champions in Shanghai!
Servings: 10
Calories: 187kcal
Ingredients
For the dough:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons sugar
- ¾ cup warm water
For the pastry dough:
- 4 tablespoons melted butter or lard
- ½ cup all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon Sichuan peppercorn powder
- 1/4 teaspoon ground white pepper
- 3 scallions (very finely chopped)
Additional ingredients:
- Water and a pastry brush
- ⅓ cup toasted sesame seeds
Instructions
Make the dough and pastry dough:
- Mix all of the dough ingredients together using an electric mixer (or by hand) to form a soft and smooth dough ball. Cover and let rest for 30 minutes. Meanwhile, make the pastry dough. Mix all the pastry dough ingredients together in a bowl using a rubber spatula. Make sure everything is evenly mixed. Cover and refrigerate for 15 minutes.
Assemble the sesame pancakes:
- Preheat the oven to 450°F/230°C.
- Divide the dough into 10 equal pieces. Then also divide the pastry dough into 10 equal pieces and roll each into a ball while it’s still chilled.
- Flatten the dough ball and wrap the pastry dough ball inside it. Pinch the outer layer closed. Flatten with the palm of your hand, and roll out into an oval shape, about an eighth of an inch thick. Fold the oval in half lengthwise, and roll into a coil. Turn the roll on its side, flatten with the palm of your hand once again, and roll into another oval. This step creates some "lamination" in the dough, which will give you flaky layers.
- Place the pancakes on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Brush lightly with water, and sprinkle generously with an even layer of sesame seeds, pressing them lightly into the dough.
- Bake for 18 minutes just until lightly golden brown.
Notes
Be sure to serve these sesame pancakes with you tiao (油条)! Store the leftovers in an airtight container, and reheat in a toaster oven at 350°F/175°C.
Nutrition
Calories: 187kcal | Carbohydrates: 26g | Protein: 4g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 3g | Cholesterol: 12mg | Sodium: 508mg | Potassium: 67mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 175IU | Vitamin C: 0.7mg | Calcium: 56mg | Iron: 2.2mg