Description
Easy Milk Bread is a soft, fluffy Asian-style loaf made without the tangzhong method. Lightly sweet with a rich milk flavor, it’s perfect for sandwiches, toast, or enjoying warm with butter.
Ingredients
- 3 1/4 cups bread flour
- 3 tablespoons sugar
- 2 teaspoons instant yeast
- 1/2 cup cold water
- 3/4 cup cold milk
- 1 teaspoon sea salt
- 3 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tablespoon butter (for brushing)
- Flour (for dusting pan)
Instructions
- In a stand mixer, combine bread flour, sugar, yeast, cold water, and cold milk. Knead on low until just combined. Cover and let rest 30 minutes.
- Add salt and knead for 1 minute. Add softened butter and knead 7 minutes until dough passes the windowpane test.
- Shape into a ball, place in a greased bowl, and let rise 1 hour until doubled.
- Divide dough into 3 equal portions. Roll each into a ball, cover, and rest 15 minutes.
- Roll each ball into an oval, roll up into a log, rest briefly, then roll out again and coil like a cinnamon roll.
- Place shaped dough into a greased 10×5 loaf pan. Proof 1–1.5 hours until dough reaches 80–90% of the pan’s height.
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C). Bake 30–35 minutes, covering with foil after 15 minutes to prevent over-browning.
- Tap pan lightly on counter after baking to prevent shrinking. Remove loaf, brush with melted butter, and cool 15 minutes before slicing.
Notes
- Using all milk instead of water makes a denser loaf; the original balance keeps it fluffy.
- Dough can also be divided into 9 pieces for dinner rolls.
- Vegan version works with plant milk and vegan butter.
- Honey or vanilla extract adds sweetness for dessert-style bread.
- Sprinkle sesame seeds on top before baking for a nutty finish.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Asian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 slice
- Calories: 160
- Sugar: 3g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 4g
- Saturated Fat: 2.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 1.5g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 26g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 15mg
