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The best Japanese-inspired milk bread that is cotton soft, fluffy and sweet. This easy milk bread recipe uses a roux starter to make the dough and stay fresh for days!
Milk Bread Recipe
Milk bread is a cotton soft, sweet and fluffy Japanese-style bread made famous by bakeries in Japan.
It’s called Shokupan in Japanese language. I believe it originated from Hokkaido in Japan as Shokupan is also called Hokkaido milk bread.
The bread uses a simple Asian bread baking technique called “tangzhong” or 汤种. It’s a roux starter.
First part of the dough is cooked first, producing cottony soft, fluffy and tender bread.
This is the best, softest bread ever!
Once you have tried the bread, you will never go back to regular white bread.
These soft and cottony milk bread recipe is perfect for dinner tonight, holidays or any day!
This milk bread applies a roux technique to make the dough.
First part of the dough is cooked first.
This roux starter technique yeilds soft, puffy and absolutely amazing bread that stay soft for days.
For more bread recipes, check out my brioche.
Milk Bread Ingredients
This fail-proof, homemade and easy recipe calls for simple ingredients:
- Bread flour
- Heavy cream
- Honey
- Dry milk powder
- Yeast
- Unsalted butter
- Sugar and salt
See the recipe card for full information on ingredients.
It’s important that you have an active dry yeast that is alive so please check the expiration date of the yeast before baking.
What Pan To Use For Milk Bread
You can bake this bread using a regular 9X5″ loaf pan.
You can also use a baking tray for split-up dinner rolls or buns.
I made them into these cute clover-shaped buns using a big muffin pan.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, you can. This bread can be baked 5 days ahead. Tightly wrap the rolls with aluminum foil and place in a plastic bag before storing in the refrigerator. Reheat the rolls in a toaster oven before serving.
Yes, you sure can. Cover or wrap the rolls and store at room temperature for up to 2 days.
This recipe is only 329 calories per serving.
What To Serve With Milk Bread
Serve these soft milk bread with main dishes of steak, chicken, fish or pasta. For easy weeknight dinner, I recommend the following recipes.
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Milk Bread
Ingredients
- 5 1/3 cups bread flour, divided, plus more for surface
- 1 cup heavy cream
- 1/3 cup honey
- 3 tablespoons nonfat dry milk powder
- 2 tablespoons active dry yeast, from about 3 envelopes
- 2 tablespoons kosher salt
- 3 large eggs
- 1/2 stick unsalted butter, cut into pieces, room temperature (4 tablespoons)
- nonstick vegetable oil spray
- flaky sea salt
Instructions
- Cook 1/3 cup of flour and 1 cup of water in a small saucepan over medium heat, whisking constantly until a thick paste forms, about 5 minutes. Then, add the cream and honey, and continue cooking while whisking until the honey dissolves.
- Transfer the mixture to a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, and add the milk powder, yeast, kosher salt, 2 eggs, and 5 cups of flour. Knead on medium speed until the dough is smooth, about 5 minutes.
- Add the butter, one piece at a time, fully incorporating it into the dough before adding the next piece, until the dough is smooth, shiny, and elastic, about 4 minutes.
- Coat a large bowl with nonstick spray and transfer the dough to the bowl, turning it to coat. Cover with plastic wrap and let rise in a warm place until doubled in size, about 1 hour.
- Lightly coat a 6-cup jumbo muffin pan with nonstick spray. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and divide it into 6 pieces. Then, divide each piece into 3 smaller pieces. Place 3 pieces of dough side by side in each muffin cup. Let rise again in a warm place until doubled in size and puffing over the top of the muffin pan, about 1 hour.
- Preheat the oven to 375°F (190°C). Beat the remaining egg with 1 teaspoon of water. Brush the top of the dough with the egg wash and sprinkle with sea salt. Bake, rotating the pan halfway through, until the bread is deep golden brown, about 25 to 35 minutes. Let the milk bread cool slightly in the pan before turning it out.
Notes
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Seem like 2 tablespoons salt quite too much if compare with flour??
You can reduce it I just followed the recipe from Bon Appetit and they are fine.
Can i use normal cooking salt instead of sea salt or it is different in taste,thanks
Yeah you can just use normal table salt.
I use the dry milk for baking from King Arthur on line. Superior to supermarket dry milk.
Can I use lliquid milk? If so, how much in this recipe?
I am not sure as I used milk powder.
Yummy! I think this Milk bread is delicious. I will try to make this.
Awesome, try making it.
Yummy! hi rasa, i think this milk bread is delicious. can I make this using regular 10X5″ loaf pan?
You can. Just make it into pull-apart bread.
Yum! I can’t wait to try these =)
The milk bread recipe says it yields 12 — but it gives direction for making 6 “jumbo muffin” sized rolls. Can I assume that this will make 12 regular muffin-sized rolls? Cut back on the cooking time a bit?
Yields 6 sorry it was a typo.
I am intrigued by this method and I want to try it. Questions: After I put the roux in the mixer is it not too hot to add the yeast right away? It doesn’t need to cool a little first? Also, your recipe says the yield is 12 servings, but you say to divide into 6 portions. Did I misunderstand? Thanks!
It was a typo. Fixed. Yields 6.
Rasa, would a Cuisinart work, or shuld it be handheld. This recipe sounds delicious and I know how people rave over genuine Japanese milk bread
Sure.
could this still be made without a standing mixer with a bread hook? i do not have one and would love to try this!
I am sure you can hand knead it, it will just take longer. :)