Easy Homemade Japanese Bread Recipe

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This bread is so delicious, you'll be eating it all day! The Japanese bread recipe is the perfect way to make your own authentic Japanese bread at home. This recipe is easy to follow and yields a fluffy, soft bread that's perfect for any occasion.

four pieces of Japanese bread rolled on gray table

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Japanese Bread Recipe
What Should I Serve with Japanese Bread
Ingredients
Handy Kitchen Tools
How To Make Japanese Bread
Frequently Asked Questions
More Easy Bread Recipes
📖 Recipe

Japanese Bread Recipe

Once you try this recipe, you’ll be a convert for life. Not only is this mouth-wateringly delicious, but it is also really easy to follow. You don’t need any special skills or equipment – just a few common ingredients and time.

This bread is perfect for any occasion, from a quick snack to a special dinner. Serve it with your favorite dipping sauce or spread, and you’ll be in for a treat. The light and fluffy texture is going to become a favorite, especially to use as a side to dinner.

If you want another bread that is soft and delicious, check out our super easy potato bread recipe. It's another somewhat neutral flavor that pairs well with any number of meals and flavor profiles.

glass oval dish holding four rolls of Japanese milk bread

What Should I Serve with Japanese Bread

You can use this Japanese bread just like other bread. It is amazing with butter, jam, or even as the base of a sandwich. Of course, I love to use this as a side to any meal with a gravy or sauce so the bread can pick up those last bits on the plate. Below are a few more ideas.

Fresh fruit spread or fruit butter.
Honey butter or cinnamon butter.
Toasted with dips like hummus or spinach artichoke dip.
As the base for a slider with something like this curried coronation chicken salad.

Of course, it is delightful alongside things like a good beef stew recipe, the broccoli and cheese soup, or even a garlic lemon roasted chicken at Sunday dinner.

japanese bread rolls in glass baking dish

Ingredients

½ cup lukewarm milk (125 ml)
3 ½ tablespoons unsalted butter (50 g, divided)
5 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 teaspoons instant yeast
1 ¾ cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
¼ cup heavy cream

sliced bread on blue oval plate with jam dipping sauce

Handy Kitchen Tools

loaf of Japanese bread on gray table with stainless steel pitcher in background

How To Make Japanese Bread

For this recipe, begin with a classic yeast mixture. In a bowl or measuring cup, whisk together the warm milk, 3 tablespoons of melted butter, sugar, and yeast. Set this aside to bloom for 5 to 10 minutes.

To a large bowl, you will add 1 ¾ cups of all-purpose flour along with the salt and one of the eggs. Add in the heavy cream.

hand pouring flour into large white bowl

Then, pour in the yeast mixture. Stir this together with a clean hand or spoon. If the mixture is still wet once stirring, add additional flour 1 tablespoon at a time.

Once the dough comes together well, begin kneading this in the bowl for 8 to 10 minutes until it is smooth and elastic.

Now, cover the bowl with a damp tea towel and set it aside in a warm place to rest for 1 hour.

Once this is done resting and has doubled in size, you will grease a loaf pan or oval baking dish with butter or non-stick spray and set it aside.

Then, punch down the dough and lightly sprinkle a clean surface with flour. Put the dough onto the surface and knead for 5 minutes.

flour being sprinkled over the top of dough

Now, divide the round of dough into 4 equal parts.

Take each portion and roll it out into an oval. Then fold it in half and roll again.

Fold the sides over, and begin rolling it into a cylinder/tube shape.

Repeat this process with all of the dough, and then place them side by side, touching, into the prepared baking dish.

Now, lightly cover the bread and set it aside for 30-minutes to rise in a warm place.

After 30-minutes, heat the oven to 350°F/180°C.

Now, whisk the remaining egg well, then brush across the top of the dough.

hand brushing eggwash overt top of dough in glass pan

Bake the bread for 30 minutes or until it is golden brown and risen.

Remove from the oven and brush with the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter ( I prefer melting it first), then top with 1 tablespoon of sugar.

Let cool before slicing to serve.

baked bread on slice of slate plate with hazelnuts

Frequently Asked Questions

What Makes This Bread Different?

This bread is different from other bread because of its unique ingredients and preparation method. Most commonly this is referred to as milk bread because rather than water this uses entirely milk and cream for liquid.

What Makes Japanese Bread So Soft?

There are a few reasons that Japanese bread is so soft. Once reason is because of the method of making the bread. The milk and cream along with egg create a moist bread, but rolling the bread creates fluffy layers as it bakes giving only the top a slightly hard surface.

How Long is Homemade Japanese Bread Last?

This bread will last about 2-3 days stored in a cool, dry place. If you want it to last longer, you can store it in the fridge for up to a week. I like to slice it before storing it because it makes it easier to use later.

Can It Be Frozen?

Yes! This bread freezes really well. I like to slice it before freezing so that I can just pull out a piece when I want it. It will last in the freezer for up to 3 months. That the bread on the counter or in the refrigerator overnight.

slices of bread on blue plate with jam on top

More Easy Bread Recipes

I admit that if things went by the "you are what you eat" saying, I would be a giant loaf of bread. I love my carbs, and bread is always a favorite. Below are some more of our favorite homemade bread options that are sure to soon become family favorites. Make sure that you bookmark the ideas, print out the recipes, or pin them to a board on Pinterest.

📖 Recipe

Yield: 4

Easy Homemade Japanese Bread Recipe

Light and fluffy homemade Japanese bread is a perfect addition to any menu! This recipe will wow your family and soon become a favorite!

Prep Time 20 minutes

Cook Time 30 minutes

Additional Time 1 hour 30 minutes

Total Time 2 hours 20 minutes

Ingredients

½ cup lukewarm milk (125 ml)
3 ½ tablespoons unsalted butter (50 g, divided)
5 tablespoons granulated sugar
2 teaspoons instant yeast
1 ¾ cups plus 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1 teaspoon salt
2 eggs
¼ cup heavy cream

Instructions

In a small bowl, mix together the milk, 3 tablespoons butter (melted), sugar, and yeast. Whisk this together and then set it aside for 10 minutes.
Into a large bowl, add 1 ¾ cups of the flour along with the salt, one egg, and the heavy cream.
Pour in the yeast milk mixture and then begin stirring together to form a dough. If too wet, add additional flour a tablespoon at a time. Once the dough comes together, knead this in the bowl for 10 minutes.
Cover loosely and let it rest for 1 hour.
Grease a loaf pan or baking dish with butter and set it aside.
Punch down the dough and lightly dust a clean surface with flour. Knead the dough for 5 minutes, then divide it into 4 equal parts.
Roll out each portion then fold it in half, and roll again. Fold the edges over the sides, then roll them into a tube shape.
Repeat for all four portions and place them side by side into the prepared loaf pan or baking dish. Cover loosely and let it rest for 30 minutes in a warm place.
Heat the oven to 350°F/180°C.
Whisk the remaining egg and brush over the tops of the dough.
Bake the bread for 30 minutes, or until it is golden brown on top and cooked through.
While hot, brush with the remaining 2 tablespoons of butter, then sprinkle the top with 1 tablespoon of sugar.
Serve warm with your favorite jams or jellies.