Super spongy milk bread is a soft and fluffy bread that’s perfect for sandwiches, toast, or simply enjoying with some butter or jam. Here’s a recipe to make this delightful bread at home:Ingredients:
For the Tangzhong (Roux Starter):
- 1/3 cup bread flour
- 1 cup milk
For the Bread Dough:
- 4 cups bread flour
- 1/4 cup granulated sugar
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
- 1/2 cup milk
- 2 large eggs
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter, softened
Instructions:
1. Make the Tangzhong (Roux Starter):
- In a small saucepan, whisk together 1/3 cup of bread flour and 1 cup of milk until no lumps remain.
- Cook the mixture over low heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens into a paste (resembling a roux). This should take a few minutes. Remove it from heat and let it cool to room temperature.
2. Activate the Yeast:
- In a small bowl, warm 1/2 cup of milk to around 110°F (43°C). Sprinkle the yeast over the warm milk, add a pinch of sugar, and let it sit for about 5-10 minutes until it becomes frothy.
3. Prepare the Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine 4 cups of bread flour, sugar, and salt.
- Add the yeast mixture, the Tangzhong (roux), eggs, and softened butter to the dry ingredients.
4. Knead the Dough:
- Mix all the ingredients until a sticky dough forms.
- Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead it for about 10-15 minutes until it becomes smooth, elastic, and no longer sticky. You can also use a stand mixer with a dough hook for this.
5. First Rise:
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm, draft-free place for 1-1.5 hours or until it has doubled in size.
6. Shape and Second Rise:
- Punch down the risen dough to release the air.
- Divide the dough into 2 equal portions and shape each into a loaf.
- Place the shaped dough into greased 9×5-inch loaf pans.
- Cover the pans with a damp cloth and allow the dough to rise for another 45-60 minutes.
7. Preheat and Bake:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) during the last 20 minutes of the second rise.
- Bake the loaves in the preheated oven for 30-35 minutes, or until they are golden brown and sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.
8. Cool:
- Remove the bread from the pans and let them cool on a wire rack.
Now you have a super spongy milk bread that’s perfect for all your bread needs. Enjoy it fresh or use it for sandwiches, toast, and more!
