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Traditional Anpan

2022-10-31

By Sweet Japan

Japanese Cuisine

Dessert

3 Simple Ways to Make Anpan: Instant Pot, Slow Cooker, and Air Fryer

How to Quickly Make Smooth Red Bean Paste Using an Instant Pot's Bean/Chili Function

Use the Instant Pot’s "Bean/Chili" function to cook your azuki beans quickly and efficiently. After cooking, blend them with sugar and a pinch of salt to create the perfect smooth red bean paste in no time!

Use Your Slow Cooker to Proof Dough for Light and Fluffy Anpan Buns

Set your slow cooker to "Low" and place the dough inside to proof it. The gentle warmth of the slow cooker will allow the dough to rise beautifully, resulting in fluffy buns that are perfectly light and airy.

Air Fryer Anpan: How to Achieve a Golden-Brown, Soft Bun Without Deep Frying

After shaping your anpan, place them in the air fryer basket at 320°F for about 10 minutes. This method will give your buns a light, golden-brown crust without the need for deep frying, while keeping the inside soft and gooey.

Tips and Suggestions on Anpan

Making the bread dough

Anpan is a sweet bread bun that is made from a yeast-based dough. Getting the right consistency of the dough can be challenging, as it needs to be soft, elastic, and rising properly.

Preparing the Anko (sweet red bean paste)

Anpan is typically filled with Anko, a sweet red bean paste. Making the Anko from scratch requires boiling and mashing the beans, then sweetening the mixture with sugar. Achieving the right sweetness and texture of the Anko can be challenging.

Shaping the dough and filling

Shaping the dough into a bun and filling it with Anko can be challenging. The filling needs to be evenly distributed inside the bun without overfilling or underfilling it.

Baking the Anpan

Baking Anpan requires getting the right temperature and baking time to achieve a perfectly golden brown crust while keeping the bun soft and fluffy.

Making the Azuki Cream

Some Anpan recipes call for a whipped cream and Anko filling instead of just Anko. Making the Azuki Cream can be a challenge, as it needs to be whipped to the right consistency and sweetness that complements the Anko filling and bread bun.

Serving and storing

Anpan is best served fresh but can also be stored in an airtight container. Storing Anpan without drying out or hardening the bread or the filling can be a challenge.

Classic Anpan Recipe

Ingredients

  • 125 ml milk
  • 1 tsp instant yeast
  • 40g sugar
  • 250g bread flour
  • 15g unsalted butter
  • 1/4 tsp salt
  • kiri cream cheese
  • red bean paste

Instructions

  1. Heat the milk in the microwave until lukewarm.
  2. Add the instant yeast and sugar to the milk. Mix well.
  3. In a mixing bowl, add bread flour, unsalted butter, and salt. Mix well.
  4. Add the milk mixture to the bowl and mix until it becomes a dough.
  5. Knead the dough on a floured surface until it becomes smooth.
  6. Divide the dough into 9 equal parts and shape each into a ball.
  7. Cover the dough balls with a damp cloth and let rest for 15 minutes.
  8. Flatten each dough ball and put 1 tsp of kiri cream cheese and 1 tsp of red bean paste in the center.
  9. Wrap the dough around the filling and seal the edges well.
  10. Place the shaped dough balls on a baking sheet, seam side down.
  11. Let the dough balls rest for another 10 minutes and preheat the oven to 200°C (390°F).
  12. Bake the anpan for 13 to 15 minutes until they are lightly browned.
  13. Remove the anpan from the oven and let cool on a wire rack.
  14. Serve and enjoy!

Cooking Time

Preparation Time 20 min

Cook Time 25 min

Total time 45 min

Nutrition Facts

  • Calories: 220
  • Fat: 3.5 g
  • Saturated Fat: 2 g
  • Carbohydrates: 42 g
  • Fiber: 2 g
  • Sugar: 14 g
  • Protein: 6 g

Variations for Anpan, Buns

Garlic Buns

This version is made with soft, fluffy dough infused with aromatic garlic and herbs, perfect as a flavorful side or snack.

Gochujang and Garlic Savoury Buns

Chicken Buns

This version is made with tender, shredded chicken seasoned with spices, enveloped in a soft bun for a hearty bite.

Spiced Chicken Stuffed Buns

Cheddar Buns

This version is made with rich, cheesy dough featuring sharp cheddar, creating a savory treat that pairs wonderfully with soups and salads.

Herby Everything Cheddar Swirl Buns

Berry Jam Buns

This version is made with sweet, pillowy dough filled with luscious berry jam, offering a delightful fruity treat that’s perfect for breakfast or dessert.

Berry Jam Filled Buns

Peanut Butter and Jelly Buns

This version is made with a soft bun filled with creamy peanut butter and sweet jelly, combining nostalgia and flavor in every bite.

Peanut Butter and Jelly Buns

Marmalade Buns

This version is made with zesty marmalade spread inside a fluffy dough, creating a refreshing and citrusy treat perfect for brunch or tea time.

Marmalade Morning Buns

Baked Cream Buns

This version is made with a luscious cream filling, baked inside soft, pillowy buns for a delightful and decadent dessert experience.

Baked Cream Buns with Jam

Vanilla Buns

This version is made with a rich, buttery dough infused with real vanilla, creating a sweet and aromatic treat enjoyed warm or toasted.

Marmalade maritozzi

Caramel Pecan Buns

This version is made with soft, sweet buns topped with caramel sauce and crunchy pecans, offering a decadent and indulgent flavor experience.

Perfect Caramel Pecan Sticky Buns

Pesto Buns

This version is made with fragrant basil pesto folded into the dough, creating a savory bun that’s perfect as a side dish or snack.

Simple Pesto Buns

Anpan Recipe Review

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