Milk Bread (Cotton Soft) - Milk Bread Recipe - Rasa Malaysia (2024)

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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 (Cotton Soft) - Milk Bread Recipe - Rasa Malaysia (1)

Milk Bread (Cotton Soft) - Milk Bread Recipe - Rasa Malaysia (2)

Table of Contents

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.

Milk Bread (Cotton Soft) - Milk Bread Recipe - Rasa Malaysia (3)

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

It’s important that you have an active dry yeast that is alive so please check the expiration date of the yeast before baking.

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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.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can I Bake Milk Bread Ahead?

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.

Can I Store the Bread at Room Temperature

Yes, you sure can. Cover or wrap the rolls and store at room temperature for up to 2 days.

How Many Calories per Serving?

This recipe is only 329 calories per serving.

What to Serve with This Recipe?

Serve these soft milk bread with main dishes of steak, chicken, fish or pasta. For easy weeknight dinner, I recommend the following recipes.

Filet Mignon

Pasta Recipes – One Pot Pasta

Parmesan Baked Chicken Breast

Baked Cod

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Milk Bread

The best Japanese-inspiredmilk breadthat is cotton soft, fluffy and sweet. This easymilk bread recipeuses a roux starter to make the dough and stay fresh for days!

4.74 from 19 votes

Print

By Bee Yinn Low

Yield 6 Rolls

Prep 20 minutes mins

Additional Time 2 hours hrs

Cook 30 minutes mins

Total 2 hours hrs 50 minutes mins

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 flour and 1 cup water in a small saucepan over medium heat, whisking constantly, until a thick paste forms, about 5 minutes. Add cream, honey and cook, whisking until honey dissolves.

  • Transfer mixture to a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook and add milk powder, yeast, kosher salt, 2 eggs, and 5 cups flour. Knead on medium speed until dough is smooth, about 5 minutes.

  • Add butter, a piece at a time, fully incorporating into dough before adding the next piece, until dough is smooth, shiny, and elastic, about 4 minutes.

  • Coat a large bowl with nonstick spray and transfer dough to bowl, turning 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 out dough onto a floured surface and divide into 6 pieces. 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 top of muffin pan), about 1 hour.

  • Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Beat the remaining egg with 1 tsp. water. Brush top of dough with egg wash and sprinkle with sea salt. Bake, rotating pan halfway through, until bread is deep golden brown, about 25–35 minutes. Let milk bread cool slightly in pan before turning out.

Notes

Recipe Source: Bon Appetite. This recipe makes 6 rolls or one 9x5" loaf.

Course: Baking Recipes

Cuisine: Japanese

Keywords: honey, Milk Bread, milk powder

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Milk Bread

Amount Per Serving (1 g)

Calories 329Calories from Fat 135

% Daily Value*

Fat 15g23%

Saturated Fat 6g38%

Cholesterol 102mg34%

Sodium 2413mg105%

Carbohydrates 103g34%

Fiber 3g13%

Sugar 22g24%

Protein 18g36%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Notice: Nutrition is auto-calculated, using Spoonacular, for your convenience. Where relevant, we recommend using your own nutrition calculations.

Milk Bread (Cotton Soft) - Milk Bread Recipe - Rasa Malaysia (2024)

FAQs

Why is Japanese milk bread so soft? ›

In her book Chen explains that heating flour and water at the high temperature of 65º C (that's 149º F) helps to gelatinize the starches in flour, which improves water absorption and results in a bread that's soft and elastic.

What is the difference between regular bread and milk bread? ›

The Difference Between Milk Bread and Other Breads

What is milk bread's main difference from traditional bread? The only liquid used in milk bread is milk. In most yeast bread recipes, the liquid is usually water. There are also no eggs in most yeast breads.

Why does milk make bread softer? ›

The fat and lactose in milk help with tenderizing the crumb of the bread making it softer and sweeter. The crust of the bread also gets more caramelization. Be aware that bread made with milk should not be baked at too high of a temperature to prevent it from browning too much too soon.

What is the secret to softer bread? ›

The Magic Behind Soft Bread
  1. Oil or Butter: These fats coat the flour proteins, leading to a tender crumb. ...
  2. Sugar: Not only does it sweeten the bread, but sugar also retains moisture. ...
  3. Baking Soda: When added, especially in recipes with acidic ingredients, it can make bread soft and spongy.
Sep 26, 2023

What American bread is similar to Japanese milk bread? ›

While shokupan and brioche are soft and buttery, they are different. Brioche is a much richer bread than Japanese milk bread. It uses a lot more butter than shokupan dough, giving brioche a sweeter and more buttery taste.

Why is my milk bread not fluffy? ›

If your milk bread is dense, mostly likely, the dough is under-kneaded. The dough needs to develop enough gluten to expand and become soft and fluffy. A sure way to ensure that the dough is kneaded enough is using the window pane test.

What makes bread soft and fluffy? ›

Adding sugar weakens the gluten structure, absorbs water, and eventually makes the bread lighter and softer. As a result, sugar improves the bread's taste, structure and texture. Yeast also eats up sugar to produce carbon dioxide, which raises the dough and makes bread fluffy.

Is buttermilk bread the same as milk bread? ›

Taste wise the milk bread was slightly sweeter than a regular loaf made with water would be. Buttermilk and yogurt loaves had a slightly more intense flavour with hints of acidity but also sweetness. The sour cream bread had the richest taste and mouthfeel.

Which country has the tastiest bread? ›

Top best bread of the world (Ranked by TasteAtlas)
  1. Roti canai, Malaysia.
  2. Pan de bono, Colombia.
  3. Butter garlic naan, India.
  4. Nan-e barbari, Iran.
  5. Pão de queijo, Brazil.
  6. Baguette, France.
  7. Naan (collectively), India.
  8. Piadina Romagnola, Italy.
Oct 10, 2023

Is milk bread the same as brioche? ›

What Makes Japanese Milk Bread Different Than Brioche? Milk bread originated in Japan and varies from it's American counterparts by using tangzhong to achieve its springy, brioche-esque texture. Tangzhong is just a water and flour paste, that's heated through and added in the kneading stages.

What does adding egg to bread dough do? ›

besides the nutritional benefits there are a few other good reasons to use egg in breadmaking. It makes the bread lighter and fluffier. The reason for that is the fat in the yolk that inhibits gluten formation just as any other fat would. This results in a looser dough that can expand and puff up more.

Why add powdered milk to bread recipe? ›

The added sweetness and protein helps bread dough rise—particularly enriched dough like brioche. It lends a more tender crumb, and actually helps these breads last longer. High-heat milk powder might be a little trickier to find, but it's certainly worth the search for its impact on baking breads.

Why is my milk bread dough so sticky? ›

Your dough can become sticky when you add too much water or the flour isn't suitable for the type of dough you are making. Over proofing or fermenting the dough can also result in the gluten structure weakening causing sticky dough.

Why is Japan bread so fluffy? ›

The kawaii loaves are made from a mixture of domestic wheat flour, cream, honey and plenty of fresh milk, which makes this bread so moist and fluffy. There are four types of shokupan loaves to choose from: plain, chocolate, azuki (red bean) and cheese, plus additional seasonal flavours.

What is the most soft bread in the world? ›

Milk bread is an incredibly soft, fluffy, light white bread made with milk that's perfect for toast, sandwiches, or simple enjoying by itself. It goes by many names and is also known as Japanese milk bread, shokupan, Korean milk bread (우유식빵), Chinese milk bread, or Hokkaido milk bread.

What is the softest bread type? ›

Shokupan (食パン), Hokkaido milk bread or Japanese milk bread, is a light and fluffy loaf of white bread with a slightly sweet milky flavor and cloud-like texture. While it is most commonly known as Japanese milk bread there are also equivalents in Korea and China, with an equally delicious light texture.

What is special about Japanese bread? ›

These simple style loaves tend to be soft, fluffy and are served cut into thick slices, and are a staple feature on the shelves of convenience stores, bakeries and supermarkets up and down the country.

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