Servings
Font
Back
0 from 3 votes

Fluffy Japanese Hokkaido Milk Bread Recipe

Japanese Hokkaido Milk Bread, also known as Shokupan, is a soft and delicate white bread with a cloud-like texture that practically melts in your mouth.

Prep Time
2 hrs 10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
2 hrs 35 mins
Servings: 9 rolls
Calories: 226 kcal
Course: Side Dish , Breakfast
Cuisine: Asian , Japanese

Ingredients

For Tangzhong 
  • 20 g Strong white bread flour
  • 85 ml water
For the Dough
  • 325 g Strong white bread flour
  • 7 g fast action dry yeast 
  • 55 g caster or granulated sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 105 g Tangzhong (cooled down to a room temperature)
  • 120 ml full-fat milk (whole milk) (lukewarm)
  • 1 medium egg
  • 50 g unsalted butter (melted and cooled down)
For Glazing
  • 1 small egg

Instructions

Preparing the Tangzhong 
    Cup of Yum
  1. In a small saucepan, combine the 20g of strong white bread flour and 85 ml of water. Whisk them together until there are no lumps and the mixture is smooth.
  2. Place the saucepan over medium heat and continuously whisk the mixture as it cooks. Keep whisking to prevent any clumps from forming.
  3. Cook the mixture until it thickens into a gel-like consistency. This typically takes about 2 to 3 minutes. You will notice that the mixture becomes thicker and more viscous as it heats up.
  4. Once the tangzhong has thickened, remove the saucepan from the heat and let it cool completely. The tangzhong should have a smooth and sticky texture.
Forming the Dough
  1. In a mixing bowl of a mixer fitted with the dough hook attachment, combine 325 g of white bread flour, 7 g of fast-action dry yeast, 55 g of sugar, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Mix them together until well combined.
  2. Add 105 g of cooled tangzhong (at room temperature), 120 ml of lukewarm milk, and 1 medium egg. Mix on low speed until a rough dough forms.
  3. Add the melted butter gradually, and then increase the speed to medium.
  4. Knead the dough in the stand mixer for about 8-10 minutes, or until it becomes smooth, and elastic, and pulls away from the sides of the bowl.
  5. Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a greased bowl.
  6. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 to 1.5 hours, or until it doubles in size.
Shaping the Dough for Rolls
  1. Divide the risen dough into 9 equal portions, approximately 75 grams each.
  2. Take each piece and bring all of the edges towards the center to create a compact ball. 
  3. Flip the ball over so that the seam side is facing downwards. 
  4. Using your palms, cup the dough ball and rotate it on the work surface to create surface tension. This will help the dough keep its shape during baking. 
  5. If the dough feels sticky, use a little flour as needed to prevent it from sticking to your hands. 
  6. Repeat the process for the remaining portions of dough until all the balls are shaped.
  7. Place the shaped rolls into a lightly greased 23 cm (9") springform cake tin or a baking dish of approximately 23cm x 23cm (9 inches x 9 inches) in size or equivalent. 
  8. The rolls should be positioned so that they are lightly touching each other, but not too tightly packed.
  9. Cover the baking dish with a clean kitchen towel and let the dough rise for another 45 minutes to 1 hour, or until the rolls have doubled in size.
Baking the Bread Rolls
  1. Preheat your oven to 180° C (350° F).
  2. Once the dinner rolls have risen, if desired, brush the tops with a beaten egg for a shiny crust.
  3. Bake them in the preheated oven for about 20-25 minutes, or until they turn golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
  4. Remove the bread from the oven and let them cool on a wire rack before serving the dinner rolls.
Shaping the Dough for Loaf
  1. For the loaf method, divide the dough into three equal pieces, each weighing about 215g. Turn them into balls.
  2. Flatten each dough roll into a rectangular, and fold the long sides towards the middle.
  3. Roll it tightly from the short side into a log/spiral shape and pinch the seam to seal. Place it to a prepared 9" loaf pan, and repeat with the other 2 rolls.
  4. Cover the loaf, let it rise for 45 minutes, brush with a beaten egg, and bake in a preheated oven for 25-30 minutes, or it is deep golden brown.

Notes

  • Baking is a science, so make sure to measure your ingredients accurately. Use a kitchen scale for precise measurements, especially for flour and liquids, to ensure consistent results.
  • It's essential to let the tangzhong cool down to room temperature before adding it to the dough.
  • Proper kneading develops gluten, contributing to the bread's structure and texture. Knead the dough until it becomes smooth and elastic, and springs back when lightly pressed.
  • Give the dough enough time to rise properly. Use the timings provided in the recipe as a guide, but be mindful of the room temperature and make necessary adjustments. The key is to ensure that the dough doubles in size during the rising process.
  • Find a warm spot in your kitchen for the dough to rise. Avoid exposing it to drafts, as they can affect the fermentation process and result in uneven rising.
  • For a beautiful golden crust, brush the shaped dough with an egg wash before baking. This gives the bread an attractive sheen and adds a touch of richness.
  • Every oven is different, so keep a close eye on your bread while it bakes. Follow the recommended temperature and time in the recipe, and adjust if necessary to achieve a perfectly baked loaf.

Nutrition Information

Calories 226kcal (11%) Carbohydrates 35g (12%) Protein 7g (14%) Fat 7g (11%) Saturated Fat 3g (15%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 2g Trans Fat 0.2g Cholesterol 47mg (16%) Sodium 279mg (12%) Potassium 80mg (2%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 7g (14%) Vitamin A 211IU (4%) Vitamin C 0.002mg (0%) Calcium 30mg (3%) Iron 1mg (6%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 9rolls

Amount Per Serving

Calories 226

% Daily Value*

Calories 226kcal 11%
Carbohydrates 35g 12%
Protein 7g 14%
Fat 7g 11%
Saturated Fat 3g 15%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 2g 10%
Trans Fat 0.2g 10%
Cholesterol 47mg 16%
Sodium 279mg 12%
Potassium 80mg 2%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 7g 14%
Vitamin A 211IU 4%
Vitamin C 0.002mg 0%
Calcium 30mg 3%
Iron 1mg 6%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

Report Abuse
Login to Continue
Forgot password?
Don't have an account? Register