Black Sesame Milk Bread Rolls Recipe

Ingredients
Equipment
Directions
FAQs
Find answers to your most pressing questions about this delicious recipe right here.
These rolls require bread flour, whole milk, sugar, yeast, salt, butter, and eggs for the dough, plus a tangzhong starter. The distinctive filling uses black sesame seeds, butter, and sugar, while the topping features a milk wash and mixed sesame seeds for garnish.
Learn how to cook Black Sesame Milk Bread Rolls by first preparing a tangzhong starter, then making a rich milk bread dough enriched with butter. After the first rise, divide the dough, fill each piece with aromatic black sesame paste, shape into rolls, and arrange in a baking pan. After a second rise, brush with milk, sprinkle with sesame seeds, and bake until golden brown.
The tangzhong method involves cooking a portion of flour with liquid until thickened, then adding this roux to your dough. This technique allows the bread to retain more moisture during baking, resulting in an exceptionally soft, fluffy texture with a longer shelf life—perfect for creating that signature cloud-like Japanese milk bread texture.
Yes! While a food processor creates the smoothest texture, you can use a mortar and pestle to grind toasted black sesame seeds with sugar. Alternatively, purchase pre-ground black sesame powder from Asian grocery stores and mix with softened butter and sugar for a quick shortcut.
Properly kneaded milk bread dough should be smooth, elastic, and pass the "windowpane test"—when a small piece can be stretched thin enough to see light through without tearing. The dough should feel tacky but not sticky, and pull away cleanly from the sides of the bowl during mixing.
Rolls and Buns
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