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4.81 from 31 votes

Japanese Milk Bread

Before you get started with the recipe, I want to say that I would highly recommend using weighted measurements instead of volume. It is much more accurate and can save you a headache.
Prep Time2 hours 30 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time2 hours 50 minutes
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Japanese
Keyword: baking, bread, milk, milk bread

Ingredients

Tangzhong

  • 2 tbsp flour 20g
  • 2 tbsp water 27g
  • tbsp milk 60g

Yeast mixture

  • 1 tbsp active dry yeast or instant yeast 10g
  • 2 tbsp lukewarm water 20g

Dough

  • Tangzhong
  • Yeast mixture
  • 2⅓ cup AP flour 380g
  • ¼ cup sugar 60g
  • 1 tsp salt 3g
  • ½ cup milk 130g
  • 1 large egg
  • 3 tbsp softened unsalted butter

Instructions

  • Add the active dry yeast into the lukewarm water, mix and allow to sit for 10 minutes. You know the yeast is active if it blooms. If you are using instant yeast, skip this step.
    1 tbsp active dry yeast or instant yeast, 2 tbsp lukewarm water
  • In a saucepan, add the tangzhong ingredients and cook, continuing to stir over low heat until a paste forms. Should be thick and you will be able to pick all of it up with a spoon.
    2 tbsp flour, 2 tbsp water, 4½ tbsp milk
  • Add your yeast mixture and tangzhong along with the remaining dough ingredients except for the softened butter in a stand mixer bowl. If you are using instant yeast, add the yeast and water in at this stage as well. Mix on low speed for 5 minutes or until a proper dough forms.
    Tangzhong, Yeast mixture, 2⅓ cup AP flour, ¼ cup sugar, 1 tsp salt, ½ cup milk, 1 large egg
  • Add your softened butter, 1 tbsp at a time and mix on medium speed until the butter is fully incorporated and the dough is very smooth. If your dough is too sticky, add more flour 1 tbsp at a time until manageable.
    3 tbsp softened unsalted butter
  • Allow your dough to proof in a bowl, covered with plastic wrap for 1.5 hours or until doubled in size.

Dinner roll method

  • Portion the dough into 75g pieces and place into a 9 inch cake pan giving them 1cm of space. When shaping, you want to make sure to form surface tension on the dough balls to make sure they come out looking smooth. Allow it to rest another 1 hour
  • Brush with egg wash which is just 1 beaten egg and bake in the oven at 350F for 20 minutes.
  • Top with garlic butter and enjoy.

Loaf method

  • Separate your dough into 3 equal pieces, it should be about 250g each.
  • Flatten each piece into a rectangle.
  • Fold the long sides towards the middle.
  • Roll it up and seal the edge towards the bottom.
  • Place into an oiled 9 inch loaf pan leaving 1 inch of space between each roll.
  • Cover with plastic wrap and let proof for 1 hour.
  • Brush with egg wash which is just 1 egg.
  • Bake 350F for 25-30 minutes. I like to immediately brush with butter and let rest for 10 minutes before cutting into.