Milk bread is a soft, fluffy, and slightly sweet bread that is popular in many Asian countries and has gained worldwide recognition for its wonderful texture and flavor. Here’s a simple recipe to make delicious milk bread at home:
Ingredients:
- 3 1/2 cups bread flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1/2 cup warm milk
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
- 2 large eggs, room temperature
- 1/2 cup warm water
Instructions:
- Activate Yeast:
- In a small bowl, combine warm milk (about 110°F/43°C), warm water, and a pinch of sugar. Sprinkle the yeast over the mixture and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until frothy.
- Mix Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook, combine bread flour, sugar, and salt. Make a well in the center and add the activated yeast mixture, melted butter, and eggs.
- Knead Dough:
- Mix the ingredients until a rough dough forms. Knead the dough either by hand on a floured surface or using a stand mixer on low speed for about 8-10 minutes until the dough becomes smooth and elastic.
- First Rise:
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm, draft-free place for about 1-1.5 hours or until doubled in size.
- Shape Loaf:
- After the dough has risen, punch it down gently to release air bubbles. Divide the dough into equal portions for rolls or shape it into a loaf for a traditional milk bread loaf.
- Second Rise:
- Place the shaped dough onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper or into greased loaf pans. Cover them loosely with a damp cloth and let them rise again for about 45 minutes to 1 hour until they double in size.
- Bake:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). If making a loaf, brush the top with milk or egg wash for a golden crust. Bake the bread for 25-30 minutes (rolls) or 35-40 minutes (loaf) until they are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Cool and Enjoy:
- Once baked, remove the bread from the oven and let it cool on a wire rack before slicing. Enjoy your homemade milk bread plain, toasted, or as sandwiches!
Milk bread is versatile and can be enjoyed in various ways. You can also try adding fillings like chocolate chips, nuts, or dried fruits to the dough for extra flavor variations.