If you’ve ever visited Japan or explored its food culture, you’ve likely come across melonpan, a popular and delicious treat. This Japanese sweet bread is known for its crispy, cookie-like crust and soft, fluffy interior. In this guide, we will walk you through a simple and detailed Melonpan recipe, ensuring you can recreate this iconic Japanese melonpan at home.
🛒 Ingredients for the Melonpan Recipe
Before we dive into the Melonpan recipe, let’s gather all the ingredients you’ll need. This recipe will make approximately 8–10 pieces of melonpan.
🍞 For the Bread Dough:
- 3 cups bread flour (or all-purpose flour)
- 1/2 cup sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tsp active dry yeast
- 1/2 cup warm milk
- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 large egg
- 1/4 cup water
- 1/4 cup heavy cream
🍪 For the Cookie Crust:
- 1- 1/2 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 2- 1/4 cup sugar
- 3- 1 large egg
- 4- 1/2 cups flour
- 5- 1 tsp baking powder
- 6- 1 tbsp milk
- 7- 1/4 cup sugar (for coating)
🍞 Step-by-Step Guide on How to Make Melonpan
Now that you have your ingredients ready, it’s time to make melonpan. Follow these easy steps for the perfect Japanese sweet bread.
🔹 Step 1: Prepare the Bread Dough
To begin, mix bread flour, sugar, and salt in a large bowl. Then, dissolve the yeast in warm milk and let it activate for about 5 minutes.
Once the yeast is activated, add it to the flour mixture along with egg, water, and heavy cream. Knead the dough for about 10 minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic. Now, add the softened butter and continue kneading until the dough is soft and pliable.
Next, cover the dough with a clean towel and allow it to rise for 1 hour, or until it doubles in size. During this time, the dough will become soft and airy, which is key to creating the light and fluffy texture of the melonpan.
🔹 Step 2: Make the Cookie Crust
While the bread dough is rising, let’s move on to the cookie crust. Start by creaming together the butter and sugar until the mixture becomes light and fluffy. Then, beat in the egg, followed by the flour, baking powder, and milk. Mix the dough until smooth.
Once the crust dough is ready, roll it into a flat disc and place it in the refrigerator for about 15 minutes. This will help the dough firm up and make it easier to handle when wrapping it around the bread dough.
🔹 Step 3: Shape the Melonpan
Now that both doughs are ready, it’s time to shape the melonpan. After the bread dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into 8–10 equal portions. Shape each portion into a smooth ball.
Next, take the cookie dough, roll it into a thin disc, and wrap it around each ball of bread dough. Gently press the dough together, and then use a sharp knife to create the signature criss-cross pattern on top. This pattern not only gives melonpan its unique appearance but also helps to create the perfect crunch.
🔹 Step 4: Bake the Melonpan
After shaping your melonpan, it’s time to bake! Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C). Let the melonpan rise for another 30 minutes to ensure they are light and airy inside.
Once they have risen, place the melonpan on a lined baking sheet and bake for about 15–20 minutes. The bread should be golden brown, and the cookie crust should be crisp and crackly.
🍞 Tips for the Perfect Melonpan
To make sure your melonpan recipe turns out perfectly, here are some helpful tips:
- Use bread flour: Bread flour gives the bread dough its characteristic soft and fluffy texture.
- Let the dough rise: Don’t skip the resting time! Allowing the dough to rise properly results in a soft, airy interior.
- Cookie crust: The crust should be sweet and crispy. Ensure the dough is firm enough to hold its shape when wrapping it around the bread dough.
- Criss-cross pattern: Creating the criss-cross design is not only traditional but also gives the melonpan its crunchy, textured crust.
🍽 How to Serve and Store Melonpan
Once your melonpan has cooled for a few minutes, it’s ready to enjoy. Serve it warm for the best taste. You can also store it in an airtight container for up to 3 days. If you want to reheat melonpan, simply pop it back in the oven for a few minutes to restore the crispy top.
🍡 Variations of Melonpan You Can Try
While the classic version is always a winner, feel free to experiment with different variations of melonpan:
- 🍫 Chocolate Melonpan: Add some chocolate chips to the bread dough or use chocolate ganache for a sweet twist.
- 🍮 Custard Melonpan: Fill the center of the bread with a creamy custard filling for a richer flavor.
- 💚 Matcha Melonpan: Add matcha powder to the cookie crust for a green tea-inspired flavor.
- 🍓 Fruit Melonpan: Add finely chopped fruit like strawberries or apples into the bread dough for a fruity variation.
🔍 Why Make Melonpan at Home?
Making melonpan at home allows you to enjoy this delightful Japanese sweet bread anytime. Whether you’re craving the soft, fluffy interior or the crispy, sugary crust, this Japanese melonpan recipe has everything you need. Plus, you can get creative by adding your own fillings or toppings to make it uniquely yours.