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Chinese Brown Sugar Bread Recipe

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4.1 from 20 reviews

  • Author: admin
  • Total Time: 1 hour 45 minutes
  • Yield: 6–8 rolls or 1 loaf 1x
  • Diet: Vegetarian

Description

This Chinese Brown Sugar Bread is a soft, mildly sweet bread featuring a rich molasses-flavored swirl made from Chinese brown sugar. Perfect for pairing with tea, this bread is tender and fragrant with a subtle cinnamon note and a slightly crisp top adorned with sesame seeds.

Ingredients

Scale

Dough

  • 2 ¼ teaspoons active dry yeast
  • 3 tablespoons warm water (110°F)
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tablespoons milk powder
  • 2 tablespoons granulated sugar
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 large egg
  • ½ cup warm milk
  • 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened)

Filling & Topping

  • ⅓ cup Chinese brown sugar (or dark muscovado sugar)
  • 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (optional, for topping)
  • Milk or egg wash (for brushing)

Instructions

  1. Activate Yeast: In a small bowl, dissolve the active dry yeast in warm water (around 110°F) and let it sit for 5 to 10 minutes until foamy, indicating the yeast is active.
  2. Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, combine all-purpose flour, milk powder, granulated sugar, and salt to form the dry base for the dough.
  3. Combine Wet Ingredients: Add the egg, warm milk, and the activated yeast mixture to the dry ingredients and mix until a shaggy dough forms.
  4. Knead Dough: Knead in the softened unsalted butter, continuing until the dough becomes smooth and elastic. This should take about 8 to 10 minutes by hand or 5 minutes using a stand mixer with a dough hook.
  5. First Rise: Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rise in a warm place for approximately 1 hour or until it has doubled in size.
  6. Prepare Filling: While the dough rises, mix the Chinese brown sugar with ground cinnamon if using and set this mixture aside.
  7. Shape Dough: Once risen, punch down the dough to release air and roll it out into a rectangle about ¼ inch thick on a floured surface.
  8. Add Filling and Roll: Evenly sprinkle the brown sugar mixture over the dough, then tightly roll the dough into a log shape.
  9. Slice and Place in Pan: Slice the rolled dough into 6 to 8 even pieces. Arrange them in a greased or parchment-lined loaf pan or a round cake pan, spaced slightly apart to allow expansion.
  10. Second Rise: Cover the pan and let the rolls rise again for 30 to 40 minutes until puffy.
  11. Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C) to ensure it’s hot and ready for baking.
  12. Prepare for Baking: Brush the tops of the rolls with milk or egg wash, and optionally sprinkle with sesame seeds for added flavor and texture.
  13. Bake: Bake the bread rolls for 20 to 25 minutes, or until they turn a beautiful golden brown color.
  14. Cool and Serve: Remove the bread from the oven and allow it to cool slightly before serving to enhance texture and flavor.

Notes

  • Chinese brown sugar is typically sold in bricks or chunks and imparts a rich molasses flavor that is key to this bread’s distinctive taste.
  • If Chinese brown sugar is unavailable, substitute with dark muscovado sugar or mix regular brown sugar with a small amount of molasses to approximate the flavor.
  • This bread is mildly sweet, making it an excellent accompaniment to tea or as a lightly sweetened breakfast or snack option.
  • Prep Time: 20 minutes
  • Cook Time: 25 minutes
  • Category: Bread
  • Method: Baking
  • Cuisine: Chinese

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Find it online: https://ascookasyoucan.com/chinese-brown-sugar-bread-recipe/