Milk bread –Alright, y’all! Let’s talk about something that brings a little bit of sweetness right into your kitchen – Japanese milk bread. This ain’t just any bread; it’s soft, airy, and has a richness that’ll have you coming back for seconds. Whether you’re enjoying it toasted with a dollop of butter or using it for sandwiches, this bread is where it’s at. Grab your apron and let’s dive into this delicious recipe!
Japanese Milk Bread
First things first, here’s how this beauty looks:
Ingredients
- 2 ½ cups bread flour
- ¼ cup sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 teaspoons instant yeast
- 1 cup whole milk, warmed
- ⅓ cup heavy cream
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 egg, beaten for egg wash
Instructions
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the bread flour, sugar, salt, and instant yeast. Stir until everything is evenly mixed.
- Add in the warmed whole milk and heavy cream, mixing until a rough dough forms. If you can, use your hands to bring it together into a ball.
- Dust your work surface with a little flour, and knead that dough for about 10 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic. If it’s too sticky, sprinkle a bit more flour as needed.
- Place the kneaded dough in a lightly greased bowl, cover it with a damp towel, and let it rise in a warm place until it doubles in size – about 1-2 hours.
- Once risen, punch the dough down to release any air bubbles and then turn it out onto a floured surface.
- Divide the dough into three equal portions. Roll each piece into a ball, then flatten it and roll it out into oval shapes. Roll them up tightly into little logs.
- Place the rolled logs into a greased loaf pan, cover with the towel again, and let them rise until they double in size again, about 30-60 minutes.
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Brush the tops of the dough with the beaten egg for that golden finish.
- Bake for about 30-35 minutes, or until the bread is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped. Let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn it out onto a wire rack to cool completely.
And there you have it! A lovely loaf of Japanese milk bread that you can enjoy in so many ways. It’s soft, fluffy, and oh-so-good! Can’t wait for you to try this out and blow everyone’s mind with your baking skills. Happy baking!