Black Sesame and Cardamom No-Knead Milk Bread Buns are a flavorful and unique twist on traditional bread. Made with no-knead milk bread dough, these buns are filled with the rich flavor of black sesame butter and spiced up with cardamom. This easy recipe doesn’t require much active time, and the result is a soft, buttery, and aromatic treat perfect for sharing with loved ones or enjoying with a cup of tea or coffee.
Full Recipe:
Ingredients
For the No-Knead Milk Bread Dough:
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195 g bread flour
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55 g cake flour
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30 g granulated sugar (adjust to taste)
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1 large egg (or 50 g silken tofu or 50 g mashed banana for vegan substitute)
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1/2 teaspoon salt (or 1/2 to 1 teaspoon miso)
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2 tablespoons (30 g) salted or unsalted butter, softened
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2 to 3 g active dry yeast
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140 g milk (warmed to 110°F) or plant-based milk
For the Filling:
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3 to 4 tablespoons Black Sesame Crunchy Butter
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1 to 2 tablespoons brown sugar
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Dashes of ground cardamom (to taste)
For the Frosting:
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8 oz cream cheese, softened
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2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
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1 teaspoon miso
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1 teaspoon vanilla extract
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2 tablespoons Black Sesame Crunchy Butter
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1 cup confectioners’ sugar
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Black sesame powder for dusting (optional)
Optional:
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1 egg, beaten for egg wash (or alternatives like neutral oil, cream, or softened butter for a vegan option)
Directions
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Prepare the Dough: In a stand mixer, combine the bread flour, cake flour, sugar, egg, salt (or miso), and butter. In a separate bowl, mix the yeast with warm milk and a pinch of sugar. Let it sit for 10 minutes. Add the yeast mixture to the stand mixer and mix until an elastic dough forms. The dough should be slightly tacky but not sticky. Let it rise for about 60 minutes, or refrigerate for up to 48 hours.
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Shape the Buns: After the dough rises, deflate it and roll it out into a rectangle. Spread the Black Sesame Crunchy Butter over the dough, sprinkle with brown sugar and cardamom. Roll the dough into a log and cut it into 9 even pieces. Place the pieces into a greased or parchment-lined 9-inch baking dish.
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Proof the Buns: Let the buns proof for about 60 minutes until puffy and 1.5 times their size.
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Bake the Buns: Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Brush the buns with egg wash for a shiny top and bake for 30–35 minutes. Cover with foil for the first 20 minutes to avoid burning.
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Prepare the Frosting: While the buns bake, whisk together cream cheese, butter, miso, vanilla extract, Black Sesame Crunchy Butter, and confectioners’ sugar. Once the buns are done, allow them to cool slightly and then frost them with the mixture. Optionally, dust with black sesame powder or powdered sugar for decoration.
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Serve: Slice and serve warm, enjoying the sweet and savory flavors with a perfect combination of cardamom and black sesame.
Nutrients
Per Serving (Approximate):
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Calories: 350 kcal
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Protein: 6g
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Carbs: 45g
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Fat: 18g
The Allure of No-Knead Bread
No-knead bread has become a beloved method for making bread due to its simplicity and ease. Unlike traditional bread recipes that require extensive kneading and attention, no-knead bread relies on time and patience, allowing the dough to develop flavor and texture through an extended fermentation process. This method produces a loaf with a tender crumb, a slight chewiness, and a flavor that rivals that of bread made with more intensive methods.
The no-knead approach in this recipe gives you the benefits of freshly baked bread with minimal effort. The dough is mixed together and left to rise, with only a few gentle steps required to shape the buns before baking. This means you can enjoy the fruits of your labor without needing to spend long hours at the kitchen counter.
The Flavors of Black Sesame and Cardamom
One of the standout features of these buns is the combination of black sesame and cardamom. Black sesame, with its rich, nutty flavor and slightly bittersweet profile, offers a unique depth to the bread. It pairs beautifully with the sweetness of the dough and the creamy filling, providing a perfect contrast that elevates the overall taste.
Cardamom, a warm and aromatic spice, adds complexity and an exotic twist. Commonly used in both sweet and savory dishes, cardamom imparts a subtle fragrance that pairs wonderfully with the sesame, creating an enticing and unforgettable flavor experience. The balance of these two ingredients—rich, nutty, and slightly bitter black sesame combined with the aromatic spice of cardamom—makes these buns a standout treat.
The Role of Milk Bread Dough in Creating Soft, Buttery Buns
The foundation of Black Sesame and Cardamom No-Knead Milk Bread Buns is the milk bread dough, which plays a crucial role in giving the buns their soft, pillowy texture. Milk bread, also known as Hokkaido milk bread, is a type of bread known for its incredibly soft, fluffy crumb, thanks to the inclusion of milk and butter in the dough. This dough has a slightly sweet flavor, making it an excellent base for both savory and sweet fillings.
The no-knead method used in this recipe means that the dough is left to rise slowly, allowing the gluten to develop over time, creating a light yet tender texture. The butter and milk in the dough further enrich the buns, adding a subtle richness that complements the spiced black sesame filling. The result is a bread that’s soft enough to melt in your mouth, with a slight sweetness that balances the richness of the sesame butter and the spice of the cardamom.
Making the Black Sesame Butter Filling
The filling for these buns is made with black sesame crunchy butter, which is an integral part of this recipe. Black sesame butter is made by grinding roasted black sesame seeds into a smooth paste. The result is a rich, nutty spread that has a slightly earthy flavor, adding depth to the filling. The addition of brown sugar sweetens the filling while enhancing the natural caramel notes of the black sesame.
To further elevate the flavor, a dash of ground cardamom is sprinkled over the sesame butter filling, infusing the dough with an aromatic spice that complements the sesame’s natural richness. When this filling is spread across the dough, it creates a flavorful, aromatic layer inside the buns that contrasts beautifully with the soft, sweet bread exterior.
The Art of Shaping and Proofing the Buns
Shaping the buns is a simple yet essential step in ensuring that the Black Sesame and Cardamom No-Knead Milk Bread Buns bake into the perfect texture. After the dough has risen and been deflated, it is rolled out into a rectangle, which is then spread with the black sesame butter filling and sprinkled with brown sugar and cardamom. The dough is then rolled into a log and cut into evenly sized pieces.
The buns are placed into a greased or parchment-lined baking dish, where they will undergo a final proofing. This step allows the buns to puff up and become light and airy, as the yeast continues to work its magic. The dough will expand and rise, becoming 1.5 times its original size. This proofing process is what gives the buns their characteristic softness and fluffiness, making them a perfect treat to enjoy at breakfast or any time of day.
Baking the Buns to Perfection
The baking process for these buns is straightforward, with the buns being baked in a preheated oven at 350°F (180°C) for 30 to 35 minutes. The key to achieving the perfect golden-brown top is to cover the buns with foil during the first 20 minutes of baking to prevent the tops from burning. After removing the foil, the buns continue to bake until they are golden and puffed up.
During baking, the black sesame butter filling melts into the dough, creating a luscious, gooey interior that contrasts beautifully with the light, flaky pastry. The slight crispiness of the exterior of the buns adds a perfect balance to the soft interior, making each bite a delightful experience.
Frosting the Buns for Extra Richness
Once the buns are baked, they are frosted with a delicious cream cheese and butter frosting, which adds an extra layer of richness. The frosting is made by combining softened cream cheese, butter, miso, vanilla extract, and black sesame crunchy butter, creating a smooth, slightly tangy mixture that complements the sweet and savory flavors of the buns. The frosting is generously spread over the warm buns, allowing it to melt slightly into the soft dough.
For an added decorative touch, the buns can be dusted with black sesame powder, which adds a pop of color and enhances the sesame flavor. Alternatively, powdered sugar can be used for a more classic finish. The frosting creates a smooth, creamy contrast to the soft, slightly spiced buns, making each bite even more indulgent.
The Perfect Treat for Tea or Coffee
Black Sesame and Cardamom No-Knead Milk Bread Buns are perfect for pairing with a warm cup of tea or coffee. The soft, slightly sweet bread and the creamy frosting make for an ideal afternoon treat, providing both comfort and sophistication in one bite. The aromatic cardamom and rich black sesame flavors also make these buns a wonderful choice for special occasions or when you want to share something unique with friends and family.
The versatility of these buns makes them suitable for a variety of occasions, whether served as a sweet snack, a breakfast item, or a dessert after a hearty meal. The combination of flavors—sweet, savory, and spiced—ensures that these buns will appeal to a wide range of tastes, making them a crowd-pleasing treat.
Conclusion: A Delightful and Aromatic Twist on Traditional Buns
In conclusion, Black Sesame and Cardamom No-Knead Milk Bread Buns offer a unique and flavorful twist on traditional bread buns. With their soft, buttery texture, aromatic cardamom spice, and rich black sesame filling, these buns are a true treat for the senses. The no-knead method makes the recipe simple and accessible, while the addition of the cream cheese frosting and optional black sesame powder adds a luxurious touch. Whether enjoyed with tea or coffee or shared with loved ones, these buns are sure to become a favorite addition to your baking repertoire. The delightful combination of flavors and textures makes these buns a memorable treat that’s perfect for any occasion.