Korean Sweet Rice Bread with Caramel Drizzle

Ingredients:

For the Dough:

• • 90ml warm milk (below 35°C)
  • 4g (0.5 Tbsp) instant dry yeast

• • 20g (2 Tbsp) allulose or sugar
  • 1 room temperature egg (59g)
  • 200g Garussal (Korean rice flour)

• • 3g (1 tsp) salt
  • 30g room temperature unsalted butter
  • Chopped peanuts, pumpkin seeds, and black sesame seeds (for topping)

For the Caramel:

• • 50g (5 Tbsp) allulose (or sugar)
  • 14g (2 Tbsp) water
  • 50g heavy cream

• 1 pinch of salt
• 8g unsalted butter

Directions:

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

1. 1. Activate the Yeast: In a small bowl, mix the warm milk and yeast. Stir until the yeast dissolves, then let it sit for about 2 minutes to allow the yeast to activate. Add 20g of allulose (or sugar) and let the mixture sit for another few minutes until bubbly.

1. 1. Mix the Wet Ingredients: Beat the egg until well-mixed, then add it to the yeast mixture. Stir well to combine.
   2. Combine Dry Ingredients: In a separate larger bowl, combine the Garussal (Korean rice flour) and salt.
   3. Form the Dough: Gradually add the yeast-egg mixture into the flour mixture, stirring to combine. Once the ingredients come together, begin kneading the dough by hand until it’s smooth and well incorporated.

1. Add Butter: Incorporate the 30g of room temperature unsalted butter into the dough. Continue kneading until the butter is fully absorbed, and the dough becomes soft, smooth, and slightly sticky.
2. Let it Rise: Place the dough in a warm area, below 35°C (95°F), and let it rise for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size.

Step 2: Shape the Dough

1. 1. Deflate the Dough: Once the dough has risen, punch it down to release the air. Divide the dough into 19 equal portions and roll each portion into a small ball.

1. Second Rise: Flatten each ball slightly and arrange them in an oiled 18cm diameter round pan, starting from the center. Cover the dough balls loosely with plastic wrap and let them rise for another 20-30 minutes, or until doubled in size.

Step 3: Bake the Bread

1. 1. Preheat the Oven: Preheat your oven to 170°C (338°F).
   2. Egg Wash: While waiting for the oven to heat, prepare an egg wash by mixing 3 tablespoons of milk with 1 tablespoon of beaten egg.

1. Add Toppings: Brush the egg wash over the risen dough. Sprinkle chopped peanuts, pumpkin seeds, and black sesame seeds generously over the top for added texture and flavor.
2. Bake: Bake the bread in the preheated oven for 18-20 minutes or until the tops are golden brown and the bread is cooked through.

Step 4: Prepare the Caramel

1. 1. Heat the Sugar: While the bread is cooling, prepare the caramel. In a small saucepan, combine 50g of allulose (or sugar) and 14g of water. Cook over low heat, occasionally swirling the pan to help the mixture dissolve. Avoid stirring to prevent crystallization.

1. 1. Add the Cream: Once the sugar mixture turns a light amber color, remove it from the heat and immediately add the 50g of heavy cream. Be cautious, as the mixture may bubble up.
   2. Season and Finish: Stir in a pinch of salt and 8g of unsalted butter. Stir until smooth and well combined.
   3. Drizzle: Drizzle the warm caramel sauce over the cooled bread, allowing it to seep into the crevices for added richness.

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy

• Allow the caramel to set slightly before serving. Cut the bread into portions and enjoy the warm, chewy texture of the Korean sweet rice bread with the rich flavor of the caramel drizzle. This bread is best enjoyed warm but can be served at room temperature as well.

Cooking Tips:

• • Milk Temperature: Ensure the milk is not too hot when dissolving the yeast, as high heat can kill the yeast and prevent the dough from rising.
  • Kneading: The dough should be slightly sticky but smooth. Knead well to develop the gluten, which will give the bread a soft and chewy texture.

• Caramel: When making the caramel, avoid stirring the sugar mixture once it’s on the heat. Gently swirl the pan instead to prevent the sugar from crystallizing.
• Toppings: Feel free to customize the toppings by adding other nuts or seeds, such as sunflower seeds, almonds, or sesame seeds, for a crunchy texture.

Nutritional Information (Per Serving, Approximate):

• • Calories: 250 kcal

• • Carbohydrates: 35g
  • Protein: 5g
  • Fat: 10g

• Sugar: 12g
• Sodium: 150mg