I repeated an old recipe and it still worked! There was no picture on this recipe when I first made it so here it is:
This recipe requires a starter from the night before so it is slightly more work but the end product is worth the effort.
https://www.allrecipes.com/recipe/179802/asian-water-roux-white-bread/
I made some modifications including adding 1 additional cup of water when making roux, doubling the active dry yeast, and reducing sugar:
Roux:
1 1/2 cup water
1 tbsp granulated sugar
1/4 cup butter
1 cup flour
Next day:
4 1/2 tsp active dry yeast (2 packs)
3/4 cup warm water
3 cup all-purpose flour
1/8 cup granulated sugar
3 tbsp instant dry milk powder
1 tsp salt
1 egg
I also used 9x5 pan instead of 8x4, and shaped the rest of the dough into buns/dinner rolls.
These are the steps copied from the original post:
Directions
Instructions Checklist
Step 1
To make the water roux, bring 1/2 cup of water to a boil in a small saucepan, and stir in 1 tablespoon of sugar and the butter, mixing to dissolve the sugar. Place 1 cup of flour in a heatproof bowl, pour the boiling liquid over the flour, and whisk it well to remove lumps and transform the flour into smooth paste. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap, and refrigerate overnight.
Step 2
The next day, bring the water roux to room temperature. In the work bowl of an electric stand mixer, stir the yeast with 3/4 cup of warm water, and let it stand until a creamy layer of foam forms on the surface, 5 to 10 minutes. Add 3 cups of flour, 1/3 cup of sugar, dry milk powder, salt, and egg. Scoop all the water roux by spoonfuls into the mixing bowl, and let the machine knead the dough on low speed to thoroughly combine the ingredients, about 2 minutes. Increase the mixer speed to medium and knead until the dough is soft and smooth, about 8 more minutes.
Step 3
Turn the dough out into a greased bowl, cover lightly with a cloth, and let rise in a warm place until doubled, about 1 hour. Punch down the dough.
Step 4
Grease 2 8x4 inch loaf pans.
Step 5
Working on a floured surface, cut the dough in half, and form each half into a loaf shape. Place the dough in the prepared loaf pans, cover lightly with a cloth, and let rise until doubled, about 1 more hour.
Step 6
Preheat an oven to 350 degrees F (175 degrees C). Bake the loaves in the preheated oven until the tops are lightly golden brown, 30 to 40 minutes. Remove the bread from the pans, and brush loaves with melted butter while still warm.
