Japanese milk bread rolls

Hydration
76.8 %
Salt
1.7 %
Total flour
216 g

Ingredients

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Tangzhong
AmountIngredientBaker's percentage
28gWater13 %
28gMilkwhole13 %
9.4gBread flour4.3 %
Dough
AmountIngredientBaker's percentage
5.3gInstant yeastor twice the weight in fresh yeast2.5 %
31mlWaterfor the yeast14.5 %
206gBread flour95.7 %
28gSugar13 %
3.8gSalt1.7 %
78mlMilkwhole36.2 %
0.6Egg
31gButterunsalted, room temperature14.5 %

Method

  1. Tangzhong: whisk the water, milk, and flour for the tangzhong in a small saucepan until no lumps remain. Cook over low heat, whisking constantly, until thick and the whisk leaves lines on the bottom of the pan, about 3 to 5 minutes. Move it to a small bowl and let it cool to room temperature.
  2. Dissolve the yeast in the water for the dough.
  3. Combine the tangzhong with all the dough ingredients except the butter. Mix on low speed until a smooth, elastic dough forms.
  4. Add the butter in two batches and continue to mix on low speed.
  5. Shape the dough into a ball. Let it rest in a lightly greased, covered bowl for 60 to 90 minutes, until puffy but not necessarily doubled.
  6. Gently deflate the dough. Divide it into 8 equal pieces for large rolls, or 10 for medium rolls. Shape each piece into a ball.
  7. Put the rolls in a lightly greased pan. Cover the pan and let the rolls rest for 40 to 50 minutes, until puffy.
  8. Preheat the oven to 175 °C. Brush the rolls with milk or egg wash (1 egg beaten with 1 tbsp cold water). Bake for 25 to 30 minutes, until golden brown on top. A thermometer in the centre of the middle roll should show at least 88 °C.
  9. Let the rolls cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then move them to a rack to cool completely.