hokkaido milk bread

November 11, 2013 - Bread, Breakfast, Snacks - Tagged: - 33 comments

I had never attempted making bread. I had no interest in bread-making, and I really hate the smell of yeast.

The LAM would make ciabattas and focaccias when we wanted breads that were a bit more fancy, and I was happy to stay away from the kitchen when the yeast came out to play.

Recently, however, I joined a few baking groups, and I guess it finally was time to cultivate a relationship with the dreaded yeast. I mean, I can’t not bake every time a bread recipe is scheduled right? 😛

So I surfed the internet and snooped around researched to see what people are baking. And the word “Tang Zhong” (汤种) – also known as the “Water Roux Method” of bread-making – kept turning up. This method of bread-making was developed by the Asians to make softer and more fluffy breads. What I really, really like about this method of bread making is that the smell of the yeast is kept to a minimum.

So I read and read on how people made this bread, and watched numerous videos on Youtube before I finally took the plunge and made my first loaf of bread.

I was fully prepared for complete failure. I mean, it was the first time I baked bread, and failure was totally acceptable. But I was elated over-the-moon when this emerged from my oven at the end!!

The bread was soft and fluffy – the LAM said it was a bit on the heavy side, probably because I did not leave it to prove for a long-enough time – but overall, it was tasty. I was so so so happy as I was fully expecting a piece of rock to emerge from the oven! 🙂

To make this bread, I started by making the tang zhong. This was easy. I simply mixed the flour, milk and water together in a saucepan and cook this over a medium fire, stirring until a roux was formed. The roux would get streaky as you stir, and that is an indication that the roux was ready. Alternatively, you can check the temperature of the roux using a thermometer – it should read 149F, or 65C.

The roux was set aside (cover with a piece of cling film) and allowed to cool completely. This should take about 2-3 hours.

My little imp added flour, sugar, salt, milk powder and yeast in a mixing bowl and whisked the mixture so everything was combined.

I added milk to 1/2 of the tang zhong, and whisked to mix.

This was poured into the mixing bowl containing the dry ingredients, and mixed with a bread hook.

 

Once the dough started to form (see picture below), I added the butter, and continued kneading for about 20 minutes, until the dough was smooth and elastic.

The dough would sort of spread, and eventually come together again.

The dough was transferred into an oiled bowl, covered with a piece of damp tea towel and placed in a warm place to prove until the dough had doubled in volume.

Since I was baking a big loaf, I divided the dough into 3 pieces.

First I rolled the dough into an oval shape, about 1/8th inch thick.

The ends were folded to the middle.

I turned the dough 90 degrees, flipped it over and rolled to form a rectangle.

The dough was flipped back. Since I was not using any filling for this bread, I rolled the bread to form a log.

This was placed into an oiled 9×5-inch loaf tin.

The same was done for the remaining two pieces of dough.

A piece of damp tea towel was placed on the loaf tin, and it was left to rise for about 45-50 minutes.

Before baking, I brushed some milk on the dough.

I baked the bread in a 180C oven for about 30 minutes.

And viola! I had a loaf of freshly baked bread!

 

Looks like I shall be making more bread from now!

To help you make your delicious food/bakes (and to celebrate my successful bread-making session), I am giving away a Candy/Jelly/Deep fry Thermometer to one lucky reader!

Simply complete the following to participate!

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Hokkaido Milk Bread
Serves 4
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For Tangzhong
  1. 1/3 cup all purpose flour - I used bread flour
  2. 1/2 cup milk
  3. 1/2 cup water
For Dough
  1. 2.5 cups all purpose flour - I used bread flour
  2. 1 tablespoon sugar
  3. 1.5 teaspoon salt
  4. 2 tablespoon milk powder
  5. 2 tsp instant yeast
  6. 1/2 cup + 2 tablespoon milk - I had to use 2 tablespoons more
  7. 1/3 cup (1/2 the amount from above) tang zhong
  8. 2 talblespoon softened butter
  9. chocolate chips - I did not add this
For the Tangzhong
  1. Whisk all purpose flour, milk and water in a vessel until smooth. Place on stove over medium heat and keep stirring until the roux thickens. Turn off the stove when you notice a trail forming when you stir. The thermometer should read 149F (65C) at this point.Allow to cool completely and let it rest for 2 - 3 hours.
For the Dough
  1. Mix HALF of the prepared tangzhong with milk until smooth. Take flour, sugar, salt, milk powder and yeast in the food processor bowl and pulse to mix. Add the tangzhong-milk mixture and run on slow speed until the dough comes together. Now add the softened butter and process until the dough is smooth and elastic.
  2. When stretched, the dough will stretch out very thin and finally break in the middle forming a circle. This takes about 15 - 20 minutes if kneading by hand. Transfer dough to an oiled bowl and allow to rise until doubled in volume.
Dividing and Rolling
  1. Next divide the dough into 3 pieces if making one big loaf (9 x 5), into 6 pieces if making 2 small loaves (6 x 4) and into 12 pieces if making mini rolls (muffin pan).
  2. The process is the same for all sizes. Take each piece and roll into an oval shape about 1/8th inch thick. Take one end of the dough and fold it to the middle of the oval. Fold the other end so it slightly overlaps the top fold. Flip over and roll using a rolling pin so the unfolded edges stretch to form a rectangle. Flip over again. If using filling place it on this rectangle, roll the rectangle and pinch the edges to seal.
  3. Place the rolls with the sealed side down in the greased loaf pan or muffin pan. Cover and allow to rise for about 45 minutes.
  4. Brush the tops with egg white, cream or milk and bake in a preheated 180C oven for 30 - 35 minutes until the tops are golden brown.
  5. Allow to cool in the pan for 5 minutes and then transfer to wire rack to cool completely.
Adapted from cooksjoy.com
Adapted from cooksjoy.com
The Domestic Goddess Wannabe http://thedomesticgoddesswannabe.com/




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