Japanese Milk Buns are known for their distinct, milky taste and their soft, melt in your mouth texture. These soft dinner rolls are perfect with any kind of jam or spread but are delicious on their own.
Okay, I have to admit that I found it hard to lift a finger and bake these Japanese Milk Buns last week. You see, I just came from a three- week vacation in the Philippines, and I felt like part of me was still there, breathing the fresh morning air and being amidst the haste and noise of the household.
I guess this is it. I am homesick. It felt so good to be back home to old, familiar places, eat the food, and the people, most especially to be with people that I have not seen for ages.
I decided to bake these Japanese Milk Buns because they remind me of the long trip back and forth: the long walk in airports, the layovers, the wait in the boarding gates and all. These caught my eyes during one of our long layovers, packaged very enticingly in 3s and glistened with toppings of sugar crystals. I savored each bite of the soft buns and promise to tackle copying it when I get back home.
I managed to get out of the homesickness rut and here we have it! And I think that baking session did me good as I cannot wait to tackle all the goodies that I had back in the Philippines.
My goodness, there are a lot of delicious goodies that I missed! JCo Donuts for one. If only I could eat each and every flavor in the stall, I would. I mean, I could, but I didn’t.
But to start, we have these soft and tasty buns that are popular in Asia. Also known as Hokkaido buns, these are distinct for their melt in your mouth texture. Milkier and tastier than a regular dinner roll, these buns will be your favorite bread to make.
Japanese Milk Buns: The Process
The Tangzhong
Making milk buns starts with a tangzhong or a starter. This is just a simple mixture of water, milk, and flour cooked together to form a paste. Once cool, we mix this paste with the rest of the dough ingredients.
Making the Dough and Kneading
The dough ingredients for milk buns are basic and common except for one: the milk powder. I used Nido whole milk powder because that is what we have. Otherwise, there are baker’s dried milk available and skim powdered milk will also work.
Just mix the dough ingredients with the tangzhong in a large bowl. Use a big wooden spoon to moisten the dry ingredients and once the dough gathers into a shaggy mass, turn it over in a floured surface. Knead the dough for about 15- 20 minutes.
Characteristics of an Adequately Kneaded Dough:
- The dough will turn from shaggy to smooth.
- It will be elastic and can stretch thinly. My favorite way to test this is by using the window pane method.
- Poke a finger into the dough and the dough should fill the indention in a few seconds by rising back up.
I thoroughly enjoyed making bread and I love kneading by hand. Something in the process relaxes me and in the end, makes me feel so fulfilled.
And of course, you will be greatly rewarded with a lovely aroma in your home and a tray of soft, warm buns.
Now, how lovely is that?
Japanese Milk Buns
Japanese Milk Buns are soft and tasty dinner rolls perfect for eating on their own or with a pat of butter.
Ingredients
For the Starter ( Tangzhong)
- 3 tbsp water
- 3 tbsp whole milk
- 2 tbsp all purpose flour
For the Dough
- 2 and 1/2 cups all purpose flour
- 2 tbsp whole milk powder
- 1 tbsp instant yeast
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 1/2 cup whole milk warm (105-115 F)
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter melted
Instructions
Make the Tangzhong
In a small pot, stir together milk, water and flour until lump -free. Cook over low heat while stirring continuously until the mixture is thick like a paste. Transfer to a small bowl and let cool.
Make the Dough
In a large mixing bowl, combine the tangzhong with all the dough ingredients. Use a big wooden spoon to incorporate all the ingredients together until dry ingredients are all moistened. Once the dough has gathered together into a shaggy mass, turn it over into a floured surface.
Knead the dough until it is smooth, elastic and soft. This should take about 15-20 minutes.
Shape the dough into a ball and place in a lightly greased bowl. Cover the bowl and let the dough rise for 60-90 minutes until puffy. Divide dough into 9 portions, shape each into a ball and place on a greased 9-inch baking pan. Cover the rolls and let rise again for 50 minutes.
Preheat oven to 350 F. Brush the surface of the rolls with milk and bake at 350 for 15-17 minutes, or until the tops are golden. Serve warm. Leftovers can be stored in a tightly covered container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Recipe Notes
Recipe adapted from King Arthur Flour.
If you enjoy making bread, you will love these other bread recipes:
- Milk Bread-an easy and simpler variation of making this Asian dinner roll.
- Brioche Braid– this a grand braided brioche and this post give you step by step photos in making it.
- Pandesal– Filipino version of dinner rolls that is slightly sweet and dusted with bread crumbs on the exterior.
- Austrian Buchteln– these are sweet mini buns that are so addictive because they are buttery and so soft.
- Ensaymada– Filipino version of Brioche that is topped with butter, and sugar, and sometimes cheese.
And much, much more:
I have made these several times. I am the one that has to bring the rolls now. Family raves over them. I do add a little more salt. They are fluffy and so yummy. They freeze well and last for days in the refrigerator. Wish I could upload a picture. They are amazing.
Hello,
I am wondering if the sugar in the recipe can be reduced? Thanks!
Hi Kari! Have not tried reducing the sugar, but taking away a couple of tbsp should be fine.
Hey, quick question. I don’t have milk powder, but I read that you can use regular milk instead. Does that mean I should just use more and if yes, how much? They look delicious btw
Hello Sammy! You can omit the milk powder in the recipe.
Avid bread baker here. I followed the Japanese milk buns recipe exactly (including using the weight measurements for the flour and sugar). Sadly the bread was very bland and it didn’t turn out fluffy. I agree with the other reviewer (Purie) that this does not come out as pictured.
Can you leave out the salt in this recipe? Thanks!
Yes you can 🙂
Heyy. I dont have a 9 inch baking pan.
Can i use the other rectangular shape bakeware for these ? Or a pyrex dish ?
Yes you can use a rectangular one. Just shape them as usual 🙂
Hi, I followed your recipe to a T, I used a kitchen aid mixer, but the outcome is not like your photo.
Hi! Can i shape them in braids & knots instead of the usual balls? 🙂
Hello Kaye! Yes you can:)
Can I omit using the egg as am a vegetarian I would like to try the eggless version
Hello! Unfortunately, I have not tried this without egg so I can’t really tell 🙁
Made them tonight – followed the recipe to a T – except using the Kitchen Aid hook for kneading….
Baked on cast iron skillet (17 minutes)
They are soooo fluffy and soft! Remind us of the Texas Roadhouse buns…but better!
My one and only recipe for buns from now on.
Thank you so much!
Hello Paula! I am so happy that you liked these!
Why not say you must of course proof the yeast in the milk? And more importantly why not again say in the recipe to use warm milk?
Hello Ry! In this particular recipe, the yeast need not be proofed beforehand. I will update the notes on the milk (warm), thank you for that 🙂 Happy Baking!
Good day can i shape this recipe into a loaf? I tried your recipe already for many times and it was really addicting to make over and over of it’s softness, deliciousness & the availability in the pantry. Thank you again for sharing your baking inputs
Hello Donabella! Thank you and I am so happy that you loved the recipe. You can bake this on a loaf pan but make sure to use a big one so the dough cooks completely. 🙂
Hello, good day to you ma’am
I just want to clarify the instant yeast measurement if it’s really 1tablespoon (tbsp). Your bread making is really easy to follow and I want to try it. Please correct me if I am wrong.Thank for answering my clarification…GOD BLESS
Hi Donabella! Yes it is 1 tablespoon. Happy baking!
can i use active dry yeast? and if yes, when to add it in the recipe? thanks
You can use active dry yeast but you have to proof it first with the 1/2 cup of warm milk before adding it to the recipe 🙂 Let me know if you have any more questions:)
What is milk powder? Do i have to use that even though mulk is already in the recipe??
Hello! You can find milk powder in baking stores. Some groceries carry them also in Brands Like Nido. 🙂
Is the baking milk powder the same as instant milk powder?
Hi Nikki! Yes, they are the same 🙂
Hi! So excited to try this! Does it have to be milk milk or can I use a milk substitute, like almond milk?
Hi Luna!
Unfortunately, I have not tried using any other milk for this recipe except for cow’s milk.
these rolls look fab and just the right texcture I’ll be looking for to put my ice cream rolls in
That is great! Enjoy!
Would I be able to make the dough and kneed it a day before I bake?
Hello Veronica! You can shape the rolls, then let them rest in the fridge overnight, covered with plastic wrap. When ready to bake, let it sit in room temperature or a warm place. Let it rise for 1 and 1/2 to 2 hours, then bake. 🙂
Good Luck and Happy Baking!
This is my first time in your blog and I think I will be back.
Thank you, Odessa! I am so glad that you are here! Happy Baking!
Can this recipe be doubled?
Hello Bianca,
Yes, you can 🙂 Enjoy and happy baking!
These look fantastic. Perfectly fluffy and I bet they are wonderful right out of the oven with butter!
Is there a Gluten Free version if these buns?
These look delicious!
Hi Pat! Thanks! Unfortunately, I don’t have a gluten-free version for these. Sorry!
Oh my, these buns look so fluffy and delicious! I just have to try them!
Hi Natalie! Thank you! these are sooo good! You really have to try it!
Can I use a bread machine for part of this…?
Hi John! You can do the kneading in the bread machine until dough is smooth and elastic 🙂 Enjoy these!
A while back I caught part of a T V cooking show about a sweet roll recipe that they were using whole kerrnel corn in it. Looked really good, but can not find a recipe for it anywhere. Do you know this recipe??
Hello there! I have not tried a recipe similar to that but it is so interesting that I like to hunt for it as well:)
Does the milk have to be warm and can I use a Stand mixer
Hi Harry! Yes you can use a stand mixer, and mix only until the dough gathers in the center and is smooth. The milk has to be warm. Thank you for pointing that out, I will be adding that in the recipe 🙂 Happy baking!