Classic Japanese Melon Pan Recipe
Indulge in the delightful combination of soft, fluffy bread with a sweet, crunchy cookie crust in this classic Japanese Melon Pan recipe. Named for its distinctive melon-like appearance, this treat is a favorite in Asian bakeries.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 18 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours 30 minutes (including rising time)
- Yield: 8 buns 1x
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Japanese
- Diet: Vegetarian
Ingredients
Units
Scale
For the bread dough:
- 2 cups bread flour
- 2 tablespoons sugar
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1 teaspoon instant yeast
- 2/3 cup warm milk
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter (softened)
For the cookie crust:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 1/3 cup sugar
- 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
- 1/4 cup unsalted butter (softened)
- 1 egg
- 1/4 teaspoon vanilla extract
- Granulated sugar (for topping)
Instructions
- Prepare the bread dough: Combine bread flour, sugar, salt, and yeast. Add warm milk, knead, then incorporate softened butter. Let rise.
- Make the cookie crust: Cream butter and sugar, add egg and vanilla, mix in flour and baking powder. Chill.
- Assembly: Divide bread dough, shape into balls. Flatten cookie dough, wrap over each ball. Score tops, sprinkle sugar. Let rise.
- Bake: Preheat oven, bake buns until golden. Cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Melon pan is so named for its appearance, not its flavor.
- For a twist, consider adding melon or matcha extract to the cookie dough.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 bun
- Calories: 280
- Sugar: 12g
- Sodium: 160mg
- Fat: 9g
- Saturated Fat: 5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 41g
- Fiber: 1g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 40mg
