The comforting aroma of homemade bread filling your kitchen is truly unbeatable. This delightful bread recipe is surprisingly easy to master and brimming with taste, featuring a luscious butter filling enhanced by the bold flavors of scallions and black pepper. With a tender, airy crumb and a crust sprinkled with sesame seeds, this bread is versatile enough for any meal or occasion. Once you experience its deliciousness, you’ll find yourself reaching for this recipe time and time again!
Ingredients:
For the Dough:
- 300g (2 cups) bread flour or wheat flour
- 1 egg
- 140g (0.6 cup) milk
- 12g (1 tbsp) sugar
- 3g (1 tsp) yeast
- 3g (1/2 tsp) salt
- 30g (2 tbsp) unsalted butter
For the Filling:
- 80g (5 tbsp) unsalted butter, softened
- Black pepper, to taste
- Scallion, chopped
- Additional salt, to taste
For the Topping:
- 1 egg, beaten with a little water (for egg wash)
- Sesame seeds, for topping
Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
- Activate the Yeast: In a small bowl, combine the warm milk (not too hot) and sugar. Stir in the yeast and let it sit for 5-10 minutes, or until it becomes frothy.
- Mix the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine the bread flour, salt, and the yeast mixture. Crack in the egg and blend it in until the mixture starts to form a cohesive dough.Top of Form
- Add the Butter: Add the 30g of unsalted butter to the dough and knead until the butter is fully incorporated and the dough is smooth and elastic. This should take about 8-10 minutes of kneading by hand, or 5 minutes if using a stand mixer.
- Initial Rest: Transfer the dough to a bowl lightly coated with oil, cover it with a damp kitchen towel, and set it aside in a cozy, warm spot for around an hour, allowing it to puff up to twice its original volume.Bottom of Form
Step 2: Prepare the Filling
- Make the Butter Filling: In a small bowl, combine the softened butter, chopped scallions, black pepper, and a pinch of salt.
Step 3: Shape and Fill the Dough
- Shape the Dough: After the dough has risen, gently deflate it by pressing down, releasing any trapped air before rolling it out.Transfer it to a lightly floured surface and roll it out into a rectangle about 1/2 inch thick.
- Spread the Filling: Evenly spread the scallion butter mixture over the dough rectangle.
- Shape the Dough: Roll the dough up tightly from one long side to the other, creating a log.
- Second Rise: Place the rolled dough into a greased loaf pan or shape it into rolls on a baking sheet.
Step 4: Bake the Bread
- Warm Up the Oven: Set your oven to 350°F (180°C) to get it ready for baking.
- Egg Wash and Topping: Once the dough has risen, brush the top with the egg wash and sprinkle with sesame seeds.
- Time to Bake: Place the bread in the hot oven and let it bake for 25-30 minutes, until the crust turns a deep golden brown and the loaf gives a hollow sound when you gently knock on it.
Step 5: Cool and Serve
- Cool the Bread: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
- Presentation: Cut the bread into thick slices and savor it while still warm, or let it cool to room temperature for a delightful treat later.The bread is perfect on its own, but also pairs beautifully with soups, stews, or as a base for sandwiches.
Conclusion:
Crafting this scallion butter bread at home is both easy and rewarding. With its tender, airy texture, rich buttery filling, and crisp sesame-crusted top, this bread offers a satisfying burst of flavor with each bite. Ideal for any time of the day, it’s a recipe that even novice bakers can confidently tackle. Once you experience the joy of pulling this warm, fragrant loaf from your oven, it’s bound to become a favorite in your baking repertoire.