Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Growing up, milk bread was simply bread or ppang in Korean.

I considered all other store- or bakery-bought breads fancy.

That speaks to the ease of making these milk bread rolls.

Milk Bread Rolls in a Basket

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

The ingredients are dumped into a stand mixer, which then does all the hard work.

You do have to make tangzhongthe secret to lasting softnessbut thats simply boiling flour and milk into a paste.

Dont be surprised if your family asks for these rolls for every dinner.

Milk Bread Rolls in Baking Pan

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

What Is Milk Bread?

Milk bread, known as shokupan in Japan, is a super soft and airy everyday bread.

It has a milky not-too-sweet flavor and a feathery texture that tears into wispy strands when pulled apart.

Milk Bread Rolls Torn Apart

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Its considered an enriched doughrich with eggs, butter, and milk.

This gives it a delicate crust and a creamy flavor.

What Is Tangzhong?

Milk Bread Rolls on a Piece of Parchment Paper with Some Rolls Torn Off, Surrounded by a Glass of Milk and a Saucer with Butter

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Think of tangzhong as a dough improver.

It helps the bread stay tender and fresher for longer.

It wont dry out as quickly as most breads, if it lasts at all.

Milk and Flour Whisked Together in Sauce Pan to Make Tangzhong for Milk Bread Rolls

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Not all milk bread recipes require tangzhong; this one does.

Sometimes a similar method called yudane is used.

Its a Japanese technique that calls for mixing flour with a hot liquid.

Tangzhong Whisked over Stove for Milk Bread Rolls Recipe

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

All this means is that the bread can retain its moisture for longer.

I sure felt that way!

Until then, I recommend bringing out yourkitchen scaleto measure out the ingredients.

Mixer Bowl with Butter, Yeast, Sugar, and Flour

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

After a few bakes, youll get an instinct for how the dough should feel and look.

Can I Use Gluten-Free Flour?

I tested the recipe using King Arthur Gluten Free Measure for Measure Flour with little success.

Milk Bread Roll Dough Mixed Together in Stand Mixer (Early Stages)

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

The rolls turned out very dense and rubbery.

Id love to hearcomment below!if you find success using other brands of gluten-free flour.

Go Ahead.

Milk Bread Roll Dough Mixed Together in Stand Mixer (Dough Formed around Dough Hook)

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Fill Up on Dinner Rolls.

Milk Bread Rolls

Do you ever say, Im just not a baker!

and your dinner rolls turn out dense and dry?

Milk Bread Roll Dough on the Counter

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Its your measuring cup!

verify to accurately measure ingredients for baking.

Or even better: invest in a kitchen scale to weigh the ingredientsour favorite onecosts about $25.

Milk Bread Roll Proofed in a Bowl

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

In a cinch, you could use all-purpose flour.

Itll still be tasty, but denser and not as feathery.

My kids still snarfed them down.

Baking Pan Lined with Parchment Paper for Milk Bread Rolls

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Tip

it’s possible for you to make tangzhong up to 1 day ahead.

Keep it tightly covered and refrigerated until ready to useno need to reheat or bring it to room temp.

You dont need to stir the ingredients together before kneading.

Milk Bread Roll Dough Cut into Nine Pieces

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Resist the temptation to add more flour even if the dough initially looks too wet.

It will become stiff, smooth, and wrap itself around the hook after its kneaded.

When youre ready to bake the rolls, proceed with the recipe.

Milk Bread Rolls Formed into Balls

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Lightly grease a 9-inch square cake pan with butter and line it with one 9x14-inch parchment paper.

Punch the risen dough with your fistit will deflate and pull away from the sides of the bowl.

Transfer the dough onto a clean kitchen counter and divide it into 9 equal piecesabout 87 grams each.

Milk Bread Rolls Formed into a Ball

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

The dough wont be sticky and will be easy to work with.

To shape each roll: Flatten a piece of dough using the palm of your hands.

Pull the outer edges up and over the center, all around.

Milk Bread Roll Dough Rising in Baking Pan

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Pinch the pulled-up edges together and flip the dough over so that the smooth side is facing up.

Cup your hands around it to shape it into a ball.

Transfer it into the prepared cake pan and shape the remaining pieces.

Egg Wash Applied to Risen Milk Bread Rolls

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Distribute them evenly in the cake pan 3x3 with some room between each roll.

The rolls will rise to touch each other, but not quite double in size.

Place the oven rack in the center.

Baked Milk Bread Rolls Resting on a Cooling Rack

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Whisk the egg and 1 tablespoon water in a small bowl.

The rolls will dome and rise tall, about an inch past the top of the pan.

Allow the rolls to cool slightly in the pan.

Milk Bread Rolls

Simply Recipes / Mark Beahm

Use the parchment paper sling to pull them out and serve warm.

Its not magic, its the tangzhong!

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