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Japanese Milk Hearth Bread/Mirukuhasu (Pumpkin Version)

written by Marvellina Updated: September 19, 2024
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Japanese Milk Hearth Bread/Mirukuhasu (Pumpkin Version)

What is Japanese milk hearth bread ?

The Japanese milk hearth bread took inspiration from the traditional hearth bread. Hearth bread, often referred to as “hearth-style bread,” is a type of artisanal bread known for its rustic and traditional preparation methods. The name “hearth bread” is derived from the way it is typically baked in the hearth of a wood-fired oven, which gives it its distinctive characteristics. Hearth bread is popular for its robust flavor, chewy crust, and open crumb structure. The Japanese version has a rustic look from the outside (like a hearth bread), but the dough is enriched with heavy cream and sugar. It yields a loaf that is crusty on the outside but with soft and milky crumbs

This Japanese milk hearth bread was very popular among Indonesians a few years back. It was called mirukuhasu. When I used google translate to translate what mirukuhasu meant, it said “milk lotus”. This mirukuhasu sure went viral on Instagram and it sure piqued my curiosity so I decided to give it a try. The first time I baked a hearth bread and I instantly fell in love with how the bread turned out. To me, it’s like a cross between shokupan and European artisanal bread. That crusty outside and soft creamy crumbs on the inside are just to die for!

Japanese Milk Hearth Bread/Mirukuhasu (Pumpkin Version)
Japanese Milk Hearth Bread/Mirukuhasu (Pumpkin Version)

Japanese Milk Hearth Bread/Mirukuhasu (Pumpkin Version)

Prep Time 20 minutes mins
Cook Time 20 minutes mins
Proof the dough twice: 2 hours hrs
Total Time 2 hours hrs 40 minutes mins
Servings 10 servings
5 from 1 review
REVIEW & RATE PRINT

Ingredients

  • 350 g bread flour (12.7% protein content) plus more for sprinkling
  • 5 g instant yeast
  • 30 g sugar
  • 5 g salt
  • 120 g pumpkin puree
  • 150 g heavy cream
  • 50 g water or more as needed
  • 18 g oil

Instructions
 

Prepare the dough:

  • Place all ingredients in a mixing bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook attachment. Use the hook to stir everything around a bit so when you turn the machine on, the flour won't fly around and wet ingredients won't splash. Start with the lowest speed to mix things up and then increase to speed 2 and knead for about 5 minutes or until it forms a dough. If the dough is too dry to come together, you can add a bit of water one teaspoon at a time
  • Knead at speed 4 for about 7 minutes or until dough is smooth and elastic. If you slowly stretch a small amount of dough, it will not break and light can pass through, like a window pane. Proceed to first proofing

First proofing:

  • Transfer to a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and proof at a warm place until double in size. If you use commercial yeast, this may take about 1-2 hours. When you poke the dough with your lightly-floured finger, the indentation stays and the dough has clearly almost doubled or doubled in size

Shaping:

  • Punch the dough down and give it a knead for a few times. Divide into 4-5 equal -size smaller dough. You can do just one big loaf too. Round up each dough to roughly form a ball. Cover and let them rest for 5 minutes
  • Work with one dough at a time. I shape some into round shape and some into oval shape. For the oval shape, roll the dough out into an oval shape, about 8-inch long and then roll on the long side to form an oval, pinch the seam to seal. For the round shape, flatten the dough slightly and then pull the edge towards the center to form a tight round dough ball
  • Put them on a baking pan, lined with parchment paper, about 2 inches apart

Final proofing:

  • Cover the shaped buns with a clean cloth or plastic cover and let them proof again at a warm place until they are puffy and almost double in size. This may take 45 minutes to 1 hour or longer depending on the temperature.
  • When you gently push on the dough, the indentation bounces back very gradually and may leave a bit of indentation.
  • 10 minutes before the end of final proofing, preheat oven to 400 F (200 C).
  • Sprinkle some bread flour evenly on the surface of the bread. Use a bread lame or a very sharp knife to score the bread in the middle and then two more scores on each sides. These scores are for decorative purposes only. You don't have to score too deep

Baking:

  • Place the baking sheet in the middle rack. Lower the temperature to 375 F (190 C). Bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. If you bake one big loaf, you may need 40-45 minutes. Rotate the pan halfway through baking. A digital thermometer inserted into a bread should be at least 190 F (88 C)

Cool down:

  • Remove from the oven and let the bread cool on a cooling rack completely

RECOMMEDED TOOLS

digital kitchen scale
digital kitchen scale
Kitchen Aid Standmixer

*Nutrition facts are just estimates and calculated using online tools*

Nutrition Facts
Japanese Milk Hearth Bread/Mirukuhasu (Pumpkin Version)
Serving Size
 
12 servings
Amount per Serving
Calories
211
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
8
g
12
%
Saturated Fat
 
4
g
25
%
Trans Fat
 
0.01
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
1
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
3
g
Cholesterol
 
17
mg
6
%
Sodium
 
200
mg
9
%
Potassium
 
79
mg
2
%
Carbohydrates
 
30
g
10
%
Fiber
 
1
g
4
%
Sugar
 
4
g
4
%
Protein
 
5
g
10
%
Vitamin A
 
2089
IU
42
%
Vitamin C
 
1
mg
1
%
Calcium
 
19
mg
2
%
Iron
 
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Did you make this recipe?Let me know how you like this recipe and consider rating it! Tag me @whattocooktoday I’d love to see your photos/videos on Instagram
Japanese Milk Hearth Bread/Mirukuhasu (Pumpkin Version)

How to bake Japanese pumpkin milk hearth bread

1. Place all ingredients in a mixing bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook attachment. Use the hook to stir everything around a bit so when you turn the machine on, the flour won’t fly around and wet ingredients won’t splash. Start with the lowest speed to mix things up and then increase to speed 2 and knead for about 5 minutes or until it forms a dough. If the dough is too dry to come together, you can add a bit of water one teaspoon at a time

2. Knead at speed 4 for about 7 minutes or until dough is smooth and elastic. If you slowly stretch a small amount of dough, it will not break and light can pass through, like a window pane. Proceed to first proofing

3. Transfer to a lightly oiled bowl, cover, and proof at a warm place until double in size. If you use commercial yeast, this may take about 1-2 hours. When you poke the dough with your lightly-floured finger, the indentation stays and the dough has clearly almost doubled or doubled in size

4. Punch the dough down and give it a knead for a few times. Divide into 4-5 equal -size smaller dough. You can do just one big loaf too. Round up each dough to roughly form a ball. Cover and let them rest for 5 minutes

5. Work with one dough at a time. I shape some into round shape and some into oval shape. For the oval shape, roll the dough out into an oval shape, about 8-inch long and then roll on the long side to form an oval, pinch the seam to seal.

6. For the round shape, flatten the dough slightly and then pull the edge towards the center to form a tight round dough ball


7. Put them on a baking pan, lined with parchment paper, about 2 inches apart

8. Cover the shaped buns with a clean cloth or plastic cover and let them proof again at a warm place until they are puffy and almost double in size. This may take 45 minutes to 1 hour or longer depending on the temperature. When you gently push on the dough, the indentation bounces back very gradually and may leave a bit of indentation.

9. 10 minutes before the end of final proofing, preheat oven to 400 F (190 C). Sprinkle some bread flour evenly on the surface of the bread. Use a bread lame or a very sharp knife to score the bread in the middle and then two more scores on each side. These scores are for decorative purposes only. You don’t have to score too deep

10. Place the baking sheet in the middle rack and bake for 20-25 minutes or until golden brown. If you bake one big loaf, you may need 40-45 minutes or longer, depending on your oven. Rotate the pan halfway through baking. A digital thermometer inserted into a bread should be at least 190 F (88 C)

11. Remove from the oven and let the bread cool on a cooling rack completely
–

How to store

1. Let the bread cool down completely and then keep it in a zipper bag, and push all the air out. They can be kept at room temperature for about 3 days
2. For longer storage, keep them in a freezer-friendly bag. You can also wrap each in aluminum foil to prevent freezer burn. They can be kept in the freezer for up to one month. Simply thaw at room temperature and then reheat in the oven at 350 F (180 C) for 10 minutes or until warm through

Did you make this Japanese pumpkin milk hearth bread recipe?

I love it when you guys snap a photo and tag it to show me what you’ve made. Simply tag me @WhatToCookToday #WhatToCookToday on Instagram and I’ll be sure to stop by and take a peek for real!

Japanese Milk Hearth Bread/Mirukuhasu (Pumpkin Version)
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