Japanese Basic Bread Buns

Ingredients

• 1 cup milk, lukewarm
• 1 packet (0.25 oz) active dry yeast
• 3 Tbsp. granulated sugar
• 1 1/2 cups bread flour
• 1/2 cup cake flour
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 Tbsp. dry milk powder
• 3 Tbsp. unsalted butter, room temperature
• Egg wash: 1 egg plus pinch of salt, mixed well
• Desired fillings (red bean, custard, chocolate, etc.)
• Desired toppings (pearl sugar, sesame seeds, etc.)

Directions

1. Put lukewarm milk, yeast, and sugar in a stand mixer bowl, then whisk well. Let it sit for 5 minutes.
2. Combine bread flour and cake flour, and add to the milk mixture. Add salt and milk powder, and start the mixer kneading with a dough hook at medium speed.
3. When the dough is becoming a ball (after about 8 minutes), add soft butter and knead for another 4-5 minutes until the butter is completely incorporated. Cover with plastic, and leave in a warm place about 1 hour until the dough has doubled in size.
4. Take the dough and push gently to deflate the gas from the dough. Put on to a cutting board, and cut into 8 equal pieces. Fill with desired fillings (optional). Form into small balls. Let them rest for 15 minutes covered.
5. Place shaped dough balls on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving 2-in. between the balls. Brush egg wash on the surface of the dough, and sprinkle some sugar or sesames on top, if desired. Leave them to double in size, about 1 hour.
6. Bake in a preheated oven at 400F for about 10 minutes, or until they brown.