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Sourdough Japanese Milk Bread Recipe

Sourdough Japanese Milk Bread Recipe

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  • Total Time: 7-12 hours (mostly hands-off)
  • Yield: 1 loaf 1x

Ingredients

Scale

Tangzhong

  • 25g bread flour
  • 125ml whole milk

Dough

  • 150g active sourdough starter (100% hydration)
  • 360g bread flour
  • 50g sugar
  • 6g salt
  • 1 large egg (50g)
  • 120ml whole milk (room temperature)
  • 45g unsalted butter (softened)
  • All of the cooled tangzhong
  • Butter for greasing pan

Instructions

  1. Make tangzhong: Whisk flour and milk in saucepan. Cook over medium-low heat, stirring constantly, until thickened (3-5 minutes). Cool to room temperature.
  2. Mix dough: Combine tangzhong, starter, flour, sugar, salt, egg, and milk. Mix until shaggy. Rest 30 minutes.
  3. Add butter: Knead dough until smooth (5 minutes), then add butter one tablespoon at a time. Continue kneading 12-15 minutes until smooth and elastic (passes windowpane test).
  4. First rise: Place in greased bowl, cover. Rise 4-8 hours at room temperature until 50-75% larger.
  5. Shape: Divide dough into 3-4 pieces. Rest 15 minutes. Roll each into rectangle, fold sides in, roll up tightly. Place seam-side down in greased 9×5 inch pan.
  6. Final proof: Cover and proof 3-4 hours until dough rises 1 inch above pan rim (or refrigerate overnight, then bring to room temperature 1 hour before baking).
  7. Bake: Preheat oven to 175°C (350°F). Optional: brush with egg wash. Bake 30-35 minutes until golden brown and internal temperature reaches 90°C (195°F). Tent with foil if browning too quickly.
  8. Cool: Remove from pan immediately. Brush top with butter. Cool 1 hour before slicing.

Notes

  • Room temperature 3-4 days in airtight container, or freeze up to 3 months.
  • Author: Natasha Krajnc
  • Prep Time: 30 minutes (active)
  • Cook Time: 30-35 minutes
  • Category: bread