Can I proof this shokupan dough overnight in the refrigerator?

Yes, but know that the flavor might be slightly sourer given the longer proof time. Here’s how to do it: When you have finished shaping the dough and it’s in the Pullman pan, cover the pan with a large plastic bag, seal, and place in the refrigerator overnight. The next day, remove the pan from the fridge and let the dough finish proofing on the counter until it’s risen to the rim of the pan, 4 to 5 hours.

Can I make this sourdough shokupan without a stand mixer?

Yes, but given the added egg, butter, and sugar, I prefer using a stand mixer to develop the dough efficiently. If mixing by hand, hold back the butter and use the slap and fold technique to significantly strengthen the dough before massaging the room-temperature butter into the dough.

Can I use nut milk instead of dairy milk and make this Japanese milk bread vegan?

Yes, you absolutely can. See my guide to tangzhong and yudane for more on why this works.

Can I bake this without a Pullman pan?

Yes! If you don’t have a Pullman pan or pan with a lid, use a standard loaf pan (9 x 5 x 2.75-inches) instead. Then whisk together an egg wash (beat together 1 whole egg and a splash of whole milk) and gently brush the top of the dough with the wash before baking.

Can I use all-purpose flour instead of bread flour for this milk bread recipe?

All-purpose flour will work, but you may want to hold back 10-20 grams of the milk during mixing, only adding it in at the end if the dough feels cohesive and strong.

Sourdough Shokupan (Japanese Milk Bread)

Description

A Japanese-style bread with an incredibly thin, aromatic crust and super-soft interior. Perfect for sandwiches, toast, and pizza toast (yes, pizza toast). This naturally leavened bread has very subtle sour notes with a buttery finish and is as delicious as it is golden in color.

Ingredients

Levain

34g high-protein white flour (King Arthur Baking Bread Flour)
7g superfine sugar
34g water
13g ripe sourdough starter, 100% hydration

Tangzhong

31g high-protein white flour
122g whole milk

Main Dough

241g high-protein white flour
79g whole milk
50g egg (about one medium)
49g unsalted butter, at room temperature
15g superfine sugar
6g salt
87g ripe levain

Topping

If not using the Pullman pan lid, one whole egg and splash of whole milk for egg wash

Instructions

Levain (9:00 p.m.)
In a medium jar mix together the Levain ingredients. Cover the jar and keep it at a warm temperature overnight.
Make the tangzhong (8:00 a.m. the next day)
In a medium saucepan, add the flour and milk. Turn the heat to medium-low and cook, whisking continuously, until the mixture thickens and becomes like a paste, about 3-4 minutes. Let cool before mixing with other ingredients.
Mix (9:00 am)

To the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, add the flour, milk, egg, sugar, salt, ripe levain, and tangzhong. Mix on low speed for 1 to 2 minutes until the ingredients come together and no dry bits remain. Next, switch to the dough hook attachment and mix on medium speed for 4 to 5 minutes until the dough smooths and begins to cling slightly to the hook. Let the dough rest in the bowl for 10 minutes. Turn the mixer on low speed and mix for 2 to 4 minutes until the dough gains more strength and begins to cling once again to the dough hook. Next, with the mixer running, add the room temperature butter, one pat at a time (dding all the butter will take 5 to 8 minutes). Transfer the dough to a bulk fermentation container and cover.
Bulk Fermentation (9:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.)

This dough will need 2 sets of stretches and folds during bulk fermentation where the first set starts after 30 minutes into bulk fermentation and the subsequent set is 30-minutes later. For the second set, I like to do a few light slap and folds on the counter to finish strengthening the dough. After the second set of stretches and folds, let the dough rest, covered, for the remainder of bulk fermentation.
Divide and shape (1:30 p.m.)
Grease a 9 x 4 x 4 Pullman pan with neutral oil. Using a bench scraper in your dominant hand and other hand wet, divide the dough into three pieces, each weighing 200 grams (you will have a tiny bit of scrap leftover). Then, shape each piece into a very taut round. As you shape each piece, place it into the Pullman pan, tucking it in tight so each subsequent piece fits. Cover the pan with a reusable plastic bag and seal.
Warm Proof (1:45 p.m. to 5:15 p.m.)
Let the dough proof at warm temperature for about 3 1/2 hours until the dough rises just to the rim of the Pullman pan.
Bake (5:15 p.m.)
Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Slide the lid of the Pullman pan on and bake for 45 minutes. Then, take the pan out of the oven and carefully remove the lid. The crust should be a light golden brown and have an internal temperature of around 200°F (93°C). If the temperature is lower, slide the cover back on and return the pan to the oven to bake for 5 minutes longer, and check again. Once baked, remove the pan from the oven, uncover, and let the loaf rest in the pan for 10 minutes. Then, turn the loaf out to a wire rack to cool completely (I prefer to let the loaf cool overnight).

Notes

To make this sourdough shokupan vegan, use a butter alternative and nut milk in place of the dairy.