Matcha Bread Recipe

Recipe at a Glance

Makes one 9x5 inch loaf, 3 hours total (including rise times).

What You Need

- 2.5 cups (315g) bread flour (or all-purpose flour) - 2 tbsp (12g) culinary grade matcha - 3 tbsp (36g) granulated sugar - 1 tsp salt - 2.25 tsp (7g) active dry yeast - 3/4 cup (180ml) whole milk, warmed to 110F (43C) - 1 large egg - 3 tbsp (42g) unsalted butter, softened

Optional: 1/2 cup white chocolate chips or red bean paste to fold in or use as filling.

How to Make It

1. Dissolve yeast in warm milk (110F). Let sit 5 minutes until foamy. 2. In a large bowl, whisk together flour, matcha, sugar, and salt. 3. Add the yeast mixture and egg to the dry ingredients. Mix until a shaggy dough forms. 4. Turn out onto a floured surface and knead for 8 to 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Add butter in small pieces during the last 3 minutes of kneading. 5. Place in a greased bowl, cover, and let rise in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled. 6. Punch down the dough. Shape into a log and place in a greased 9x5 inch loaf pan. 7. Cover and let rise for 45 minutes until the dough crowns above the pan. 8. Preheat oven to 350F (175C). Brush the top with egg wash (1 egg + 1 tbsp milk). 9. Bake 25 to 30 minutes until golden and the internal temperature reaches 190F (88C). 10. Cool in the pan for 10 minutes, then turn out onto a wire rack.

Tips for the Best Result

Use bread flour for a chewier texture. All-purpose flour works but produces a slightly less chewy crumb.

Do not skip the butter. Adding butter during kneading (the tangzhong method's cousin) produces a softer, richer crumb.

The dough should be slightly tacky but not sticky. If it sticks to your hands, add flour 1 tbsp at a time.

For a swirl loaf: roll the dough flat, spread with red bean paste or white chocolate chips, roll up tightly, and place in the loaf pan.

Variations

Matcha red bean swirl bread: Roll dough flat, spread with sweetened red bean paste, roll up, and bake as a swirl loaf.

Matcha white chocolate bread: Fold 1/2 cup white chocolate chips into the dough before shaping.

Matcha dinner rolls: Divide dough into 12 equal pieces, shape into balls, and bake in a 9x13 inch pan for 18 to 20 minutes.