Shokupan, Japanese Milk Bread made in Bread Machine.

 I have adapted the recipe to bake a small loaf ( SEE BELOW FOR LARGE LOAF) in the Bread Machine. The texture is not quite as soft as baked in the oven but certainly a nice loaf.   (. The second Loaf I baked on a different setting was just as soft as that baked in the oven.   See notes a bottom of recipe)   Would be very handy to prepare for visitors as just set and forget.  Also releases oven for other baking. 

Make the Yudane at least 6 hours prior to making loaf. 

YUDANE

Into a small bowl weigh 70 g bread flour.

Add 55 g of boiling water and stir with a fork to form a ball.

Cover with plastic and stand at room temperature, over night, or for between 6 and 24 hours.

                                THEN

Next day in this order

Add Yudane to bread machine

Add 200mls warm milk, about 30 degrees C

4g dried yeast

7g sugar

300g bread flour

1 teaspoon bread improver

3 g salt

15 g butter

Set machine for small white loaf, regular baking time. Dark crust. 

NOTES

It is best to weigh the small amounts of ingredients on digital scales. 

The above sliced loaf was cut while warm. 

Best on fast white program, and top brown option.

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MEDIUM TO LARGE LOAF

Yudane. , mixed day prior to making loaf

125g flour

62 g boiling water.

Mixed with  fork to form a ball. Cover with plastic and stand at room temperature over night.

PLACE IN BREAD MACHINE BUCKET, IN THIS ORDER

187 g Yudane

300 mls warm milk

6 g yeast

10g sugar

450 g bread flour 

1 1/2 teaspoons improver

4g salt

22 g butter

Set machine for medium size loaf, dark crust, rapid bake.