Nutella Bread with Tangzhong Starter

A Tangzhong starter / Water roux starter is a mixture of flour and water. That is to combine together one portion of bread flour and five portions of water by weight in a pot. Heat up the mixture to bring out the gelatinization of starch in flour. What makes the bread baked with this kind of starter difference is Starch Gelatinization, which helps to engage more water, namely more water will be absorbed, to provide a characteristic softer, more elastic-textured bread. Moreover, the bread will have long-lasting freshness.

285 g German #550 flour 42 g Sugar 1/2 tsp Salt 6 g Instant dry yeast

30 g Whole Egg 85 ml Warm milk 84 g Tangzhong Starter 22 g Butter 180 g Nutella Some almond slices

1. Place flour, sugar, salt and instant yeast in the mixing bowl, add in milk, and the starter. Mix with dough hook at slow speed for 1 minute. Increase the speed to medium, and continue to mix for 3 minutes on medium speed until a dough forms. Add butter gradually and mix for approx. 5 minutes on medium speed until gluten is fully developed, i. e. elastic, smooth, non-sticky and leave from sides of the mixing bowl.
2. Proof the dough in a lightly greased plastic bag for 1 hour. Leave in a warm place until dough is double in volume. Punch the dough down to release gases produced in the fermenting process. Divide dough into 9 portions, each about 60 grams. Round up and rest for about 10 minutes.
   
   
3. Press the small dough, with the sealing side down, to release the gas. Turn the sealing side up and place 20 grams of nutella in the middle of the dough. Seal the edges of the round to make a bun shape. Place the sealing side down and roll out each into an oval shape. Fold into half and slice the folding part 4 times to obtain a hand pattern. Place them in a baking tray lined with baking paper. Turn each cutting edge over and let rise for about 60 minutes. Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with almond slices. Bake in a preheated 175C/350F oven for about 15 minutes.