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Japanese Wholemeal Milk Bread

Soft, light and fluffy, this Japanese Wholemeal Milk Bread brings together the pillowy texture of traditional Japanese milk bread with the wholesome goodness of wholemeal flour. Using the tangzhong method—a simple cooked flour paste that helps retain moisture—creates a loaf with a wonderfully tender crumb that stays soft and fresh for several days.
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Prep Time 1 hour 45 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Servings 8

Equipment

  • Small pot and wooden spoon
  • standard mixer with dough hook
  • Bread or cake tin, wire rack

Ingredients
  

TANGZHONG ROUX

  • 35g or 1/4 cup standard plain flour
  • 175g filtered water

MILK BREAD

  • 15g or 2 level tablespoon chia seed powder
  • 40g or 40ml filtered water (to make chia egg)
  • 150g or (1 level cup standard) plain flour + 3 tablespoons
  • 150g or (1 level cup standard) wholemeal bakers flour
  • 7g or 2 1/4 teaspoons instant dry yeast
  • 15g or 1 tablespoons cane sugar
  • 40g or 2 tablespoon approx plant based butter or margarine
  • 140g 0r 2/3 cup of soy milk or plant based milk of choice (lukewarm)
  • 3g or 1/2 teaspoon pink Himalayan salt
  • Tangzhong roux mixture

Instructions
 

OVEN: preheat and cook at 200°C or 390°F (preheat oven at least 15-20 minutes before baking)

    METHOD FOR TANGZHONG ROUX

    • Place flour and water in a saucepan whisk together, then place on a low heat and keep stirring. As the mixture thickens stir briskly to avoid any lumps developing. Remove from heat, spoon into a bowl then place in the fridge to fully cool.

    METHOD FOR MILK BREAD

    • To make chia egg grind chia seed in a seed grinder to form a powder. Measure out required amount and mix with water set aside to bloom for 20-30 minutes.
      Place milk in a small saucepan and heat until lukewarm. Temperature needs to be just right to allow the yeast to properly bloom. Not too warm or you will kill the yeast.
      In a stand mixer with dough hook attachment, add flour, instant yeast, sugar, butter, lukewarm milk and chia egg. Mix on low speed to combine. Then raise the speed another notch, until mixture comes together as a dough.
      Turn speed back down low and add in the Tangzhong roux and salt, and mix until combined.
      Turn the speed back up a notch and continue mixing the dough until it is smooth and stretchy 4-5 minutes. If dough seems sticky slowly add by the teaspoon extra flour. Dough should be soft and smooth and stretchy.
      Place dough in an oiled bowl covered with plastic wrap and place in a warm place until doubled in size, approximately 1 hour depending on the room temperature.
      When rising is complete tip dough out onto a lightly floured surface and punch down to remove gas. Weigh dough then divide into equal portions of 100g or so each. Shape each option into round or log shaped rolls and place next to each other in a bread pan or cake tin.
      Cover and set aside until doubled in size. Check after 30 minutes.
      Brush rolls with 2 tablespoons of milk mixed with a couple of drops of maple syrup. Place in pre heated oven on middle rack and bake for 20 - 30 minutes. Check after 20 minutes rotate if needed for even browning.
      When done remove from oven and let rest for at least 10 minutes.
      Tip out onto a wire rack and continue cooling.
      Wrap in baking paper to keep fresh.
      Eat within 3 days.