Anpan (Japanese Red Bean Bun)

Anpan is Japanese Red Bean Bun, made of soft sweet bread stuffed with a sweet red bean paste filling. These make a delicious snack or on-the-go breakfast that will pair perfectly with a Matcha Latte.

📝 Ingredients

• 1/2 cup heavy cream
• 1/2 cup whole milk
• 1/4 cup granulated sugar
• 1 teaspoon active dry yeast
• 3/4 tsp kosher salt
• 2 cup all-purpose flour + 2 tablespoon (reserved)
• Extra flour for rolling
• 1 cup of red bean paste
• 1 whole egg
• 1 tablespoon whole milk
• Sesame seeds

👨‍🍳 Instructions

1. 1Add cream and milk to a small sauce pan and bring to a simmer, turn off heat and transfer to a stand mixer mixing bowl. Dissolve the sugar in the hot milk mixture using a whisk or spatula. Let it cool down to below 110°F.
2. 2Sprinkle active dry yeast over the liquid surface and let it bloom for 10 - 15 minutes, the mixture should puff up.
3. 3Add 2 cup of flour along with the salt to the liquid mixture. Knead with the dough hook on speed 2 until the dough comes together. If the dough is too wet, add the reserved flour, 1 tablespoon at at time, and continue kneading. The dough should still be wet but not too tacky.
4. 4Dump the dough out onto a lightly flour counter top and knead into a ball. Place the dough into an oiled bowl and let rise in a warm place for 2 - 3 hours until at least double in size.
5. 5Dump the risen dough out onto a lightly flour counter top, divide into 8 equal portions and shape into balls. Place dough balls on a lined baking sheet and let rest for 15 minutes.
6. 6Working with one dough ball at a time, press and stretch it out with your fingers into a circle about 3 - 4 inches in diameter. Add two tablespoons of red bean paste in the middle, and pinch the edges to seal the red bean paste inside. Place on a lined baking sheet seam side down.
7. 7Repeat with the rest of the dough balls and let rise in a warm place for 1 - 2 hours until double in size and puffy.
8. 8Preheat the oven to 400°F.
9. 9Beat one egg with a tablespoon of whole milk to make egg wash. Lightly brush egg wash all over the top and sides of the dough. Now dip the flat side of a small pestle into the egg wash, then immediately dip it into a bowl of sesame seeds, and lightly press the sesame seeds on top the dough.
10. 10Bake for 15 minutes until the top is golden brown. Rotate the pan during the last 2 - 3 minutes if necessary to brown evenly.