Prior to quarantine, I had the opportunity to try the amazing bread from Maison Mori. One of their signature items is their Sweet Potato Cube. It is a delicious cube of bread that was studded with Japanese sweet potato. I decided to take on the task of trying to recreate this delicious cube. Unfortunately, I do not have a square baking pan, so instead, I made a pretty spot on Sweet Potato Bread Loaf (if I do say so myself!).
In a large bowl combine your flour, salt and sugar. Stir together with 1/3 cup of boiling water until the dry ingredients are slightly wet. It a separate bowl, heat up 2/3 cup of milk for 30 seconds in the microwave. Add your yeast and stir to combine. Pour the wet mixture into your dry ingredients and add your eggs and mix until the dough comes together. The dough will be extremely sticky at this stage. Cover with a lid and let it rest for 20 minutes.
After 20 minutes add your oil to the dough and knead until the oil has been absorbed (approximately 5 minutes). Cover with a lid and let the dough ferment for another hour. While the dough is fermenting, steam your sweet potato and cube into 1/2″ pieces.
After an hour punch down your dough to release the air. Divide the dough into 3 equal portions. Roll out your dough into approximately 6″ by 15″ rectangle. Sprinkle your sweet potato onto the dough and roll the dough. Pinch the bottom and place it sealed side down into your loaf pan. Cover the loaf pan with cling film and let the dough rise for 1 more hour.
After an hour your bread should be double in size. Stud the top of your bread with your remaining sweet potato and sprinkle sesame seed on top to decorate. Glaze with your honey and butter mixture and place in a preheated 375 degree Fahrenheit oven for 30-35 minutes.
The bread texture is soft and fluffy. As there is very minimal amount of sugar in the dough, the overall taste isn’t too sweet. The sweet potato adds a nice natural sweetness to the bread!
Sweet Potato Bread Loaf
Ingredients
- 400 grams all purpose flour
- 12 grams sugar
- 1 gram salt
- 1/3 cup boiling water
- 2/3 cup warm milk
- 3 grams yeast
- 2 eggs
- 24 g oil
Glaze
- 12 g butter
- 12 g honey
Instructions
- In a large bowl combine your flour, salt and sugar. Stir in 1/3 cup of boiling water.
- In a separate bowl heat your milk for 30 seconds in the microwave. Add your yeast and stir to combine.
- Add the wet mixture into your dry ingredients. Add two eggs and stir until a dough is formed.
- Cover the dough with a lid and let it sit for 20 minutes.
- After 20 minutes, add your oil and knead until the oil has been absorbed. Cover with a lid and let the dough rise for one hour.
- After an hour, punch down your dough to remove the air. Divide the dough into three portions. Roll out each portion on a floured surface until it is 6" x 15".
- Sprinkle your sweet potato cubes onto the dough. Roll the dough and pinch the bottom to seal. Place the dough seam side down into your loaf pan. Repeat for the other 2 dough portions.
- Cover your loaf pan with cling film and let it rise for another 45 minutes. After 45 minutes, gently press your remaining sweet potato cubes and sprinkle sesame seeds on top. Glaze the top of the bread with your honey and butter mixture.
- Bake in a 375°F (190°C) oven for 30-35 minutes until the top is golden brown.
Steamed Japanese Sweet Potato
- Slice your sweet potato into 1/2" thick rounds.
- Place in a single layer on a plate and steam for 15 minutes. Once the potato is steamed cut into 1/2" cubes.
Bread Glaze
- Melt your butter in the microwave for 30 seconds. Add honey and mix to combine.