Cocoa Bread

Method

1. 01

   Step 1

   Place the liquids first, then the dry ingredients, and finally the top layer. Place the sugar and salt diagonally, and make a well in the center for the yeast. Open the bread machine lid and start the kneading program for 1 hour.

   

2. 02

   Step 2

   Add the softened butter 30 minutes before the end of the program and continue. Once the program finishes, cover and let it ferment in a warm place. It's okay if the dough is a little sticky after kneading; this will make the bread soft. If you have time, you can make a tangzhong (water roux) beforehand, which will make the finished product even softer and more elastic.

   

3. 03

   Step 3

   While the mixture is fermenting, make a custard sauce. Mix the egg yolks and sugar all at once, and beat until pale. Sift in the cornstarch and cake flour, and gently fold them in until combined. You can use any container to beat the mixture; it's just a matter of how much effort it takes. A mixer will be faster.

   

4. 04

   Step 4

   Heat the milk until it bubbles continuously around the edges and boils gently.

   

5. 05

   Step 5

   Add the egg drop soup little by little, stirring constantly as you add it. Then pour it back into the saucepan and heat over medium heat, stirring constantly, until thickened.

   

6. 06

   Step 6

   Pour it out and let it cool in cold water before use.

   

7. 07

   Step 7

   Once the dough has doubled in size, remove it and deflate it.

   

8. 08

   Step 8

   Divide the dough into desired sizes, let it rest briefly in a ball, then shape it and fill with custard filling. Preheat the oven to 30 degrees Celsius (350 degrees Fahrenheit) for 10 minutes, placing two bowls of hot water at the bottom of the oven to increase humidity. Let the dough rise again 30 degrees Celsius (350 degrees Fahrenheit) for about 40 minutes, until doubled in size. Remove and brush with a thin layer of egg wash. Then bake at 180 degrees Celsius ( 20 15 , observing the browning.

   

9. 09

   Step 9

   During the shaping process, I made several pictures of custard sauce. Those three were leftover pineapple bun dough that wasn't properly shaped, which made them look quite awkward.

   

10. 10

    Step 10

    Make an unfilled one, cut it open, add your favorite fillings, sprinkle with Oreo crumbs and fresh blueberries, and arrange it on a plate for presentation.