Japanese Milk Bread Rolls

total time: 3 hrs 37 min

makes: 8 rolls

milk bread king arthur bread bread pull
bread pull

Also referred to as Hokkaido milk bread, these rolls are incredibly soft and airy thanks to a simple technique involving a roux "starter," known as tangzhong. The roux is mixed into the final dough, producing wonderfully soft, tender bread. The roux is mixed into the final dough, producing wonderfully soft, tender bread. This recipe was one of the first ones I tried this summer and will give you foolproof bread every time. Just be prepared to knead--the first time I made it, it took over an hour and my arms were sore the next day!

Tangzhong(starter)

  • 3 tablespoons (43g) water
  • 3 tablespoons (43g) whole milk
  • 2 tablespoons (14g) King Arthur Unbleached Bread Flour

Dough

  • 2 1/2 cups (298g) King Arthur Unbleached Bread Flour
  • 2 tablespoons(14g) Baker's Special Dry Milk or nonfat dry milk
  • 1/4 cup (50g) sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 tablespoon instant yeast
  • 1/2 cup (113g) whole milk
  • 1 large egg
  • 4 tablespoons (57g) unsalted butter, melted

Instructions

  1. To make the tangzhong: Combine all of the ingredients in a small saucepan, and whisk until no lumps remain.
  2. Place the saucepan over low heat, and cook the mixture, whisking constantly, until thick and the whisk leaves lines on the bottom of the pan, about 3 to 5 minutes.
  3. Transfer the tangzhong to a small mixing bowl or measuring cup and let it cool to room temperature.
  4. To make the dough: Combine the tangzhong with the remaining dough ingredients, then mix and knead — by hand, mixer, or bread machine — until a smooth, elastic dough forms.
  5. Shape the dough into a ball, and let it rest in a lightly greased covered bowl for 60 to 90 minutes, until puffy but not necessarily doubled in bulk.
  6. Gently deflate the dough, divide it into 8 equal pieces, and shape each piece into a ball.
  7. Place the rolls into a lightly greased 8" or 9" round cake pan. Cover the pan, and let the rolls rest for 40 to 50 minutes, until puffy.
  8. Preheat the oven to 350°F. Brush the rolls with milk or egg wash (1 large egg beaten with 1 tablespoon cold water), and bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until golden brown on top; a digital thermometer inserted into the center of the middle roll should read at least 190°F.
  9. Remove the rolls from the oven. Allow them to cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then transfer them to a rack to cool completely.

Taken from: King Arthur Flour