Soft Milk Buns

 

Lately I've been really into bread baking - there's just something super satisfying about handling squishy soft dough that is a real stress reliever! Plus, it's super fun coming up with innovative fillings and using up stuff in the pantry! 

I've been baking bread for a few months now, and I've dabbled in sourdough, shokupan, milk loaves and a few others in between but they've always been a hassle to make! Save for a few easy overnight recipes, they usually involve multiple steps that are so complicated I feel like I need an engineering degree just to comprehend the recipe! Now, enter this soft milk bun recipe that's been circulating the internet! Without the need for tangzhong, yudane, bulk proofing and all these other complications, this recipe yields soft, fluffy and flavourful buns that are easily customizable! 

Ingredients: (for 1 batch)

- 250g bread flour

- 3g instant yeast

- 3g salt

- 30g sugar

-185g cold milk

- 20g softened butter 

Steps:

1. Place flour, salt, sugar and yeast in the bowl of the stand mixer and whisk to combine (ensure the salt and yeast are not touching!) 

2. Add milk and with a dough hook, combine in the mixer for 10 minutes on low-medium speed until windowpane is achieved

3. Make a well in the dough and add softened butter. Mix for another 2-3 minutes until butter is fully incorporated.

4. Gather the dough, add a small amount of oil into the bowl and place dough back down. Cover with cling film and allow to proof until double in size (~1 hour).

5. After 1 hour, divide dough into 16 balls of roughly 30g each. Allow to rest for another 15 minutes

6. After 15 minutes, shape each piece of dough into a taut ball, pinching to seal. At this stage, fillings can be added (cheese, red bean paste, peanut butter etc whatever your heart desires!)

7. Place shaped dough balls into the prepared baking tray lined with parchment paper. 8 unfilled balls fit nicely into a pound cake/loaf tin. Can also be baked in an 8x8 baking tray. Preheat oven to 150 degrees celcius. Proof dough in the baking tray for 1 hour.

8. After 1 hour, brush with egg wash if desired and bake for 18 minutes. 

9. Remove, cool and enjoy!

Some delicious filling ideas:

- Durian: durian pulp

- Old Skool cheese: Sprinkle with mozzerella cheese and sugar

- Kimbap: seaweed, pickled radish, cucumber, sausage and crabstick

- Peanut kaya: Peanut butter and kaya 

- Red bean: Red bean paste

- Chocolate: Chocolate chips