Cream Pan - A Sweet Bread Indulgence from Japan

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Cream Pan - A Sweet Bread Indulgence from Japan

Cream Pan, a popular Japanese sweet bread, is a delightful treat that combines a fluffy bread roll with a creamy custard filling. This delectable pastry has captured the hearts of many with its soft texture, sweet taste, and comforting flavors. 

Cream Pan, also known as "kuriimu pan" in Japanese, has its roots in European bakery traditions that were introduced to Japan. It features a soft and airy bread roll, often slightly sweetened, filled with a luscious vanilla custard cream. The combination of the tender bread and rich cream filling creates a satisfying and indulgent treat.

To guide you in savoring Cream Pan, here are a few tips:

1. Look for Cream Pan with a lightly golden and slightly crisp exterior. The bread should be soft and fluffy to the touch.

2. Gently press the Cream Pan to feel its softness and freshness. It should be light and airy, indicating a well-risen bread.

3. Take a bite and experience the contrast of textures - the pillowy bread against the smooth and creamy custard filling.

4. Savor the flavors as the sweetness of the custard cream melds with the delicate bread, creating a harmonious taste.

Now, if you're eager to recreate the deliciousness of Cream Pan in your own kitchen, here's a simple recipe to get you started:

Ingredients for the bread dough:

- 300g bread flour

- 5g instant yeast

- 30g sugar

- 5g salt

- 200ml lukewarm milk

- 30g unsalted butter, softened

Ingredients for the custard filling:

- 250ml milk

- 50g sugar

- 3 egg yolks

- 25g all-purpose flour

- 1 teaspoon vanilla extract

Instructions:

1. In a mixing bowl, combine the bread flour, instant yeast, sugar, and salt. Mix well.

2. Gradually add the lukewarm milk and softened butter to the dry ingredients. Mix until the dough comes together.

3. Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 10-15 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.

4. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-2 hours or until doubled in size.

5. While the dough is rising, prepare the custard filling. In a saucepan, heat the milk over medium heat until hot but not boiling.

6. In a separate bowl, whisk together the egg yolks, sugar, and flour until well combined. Slowly pour the hot milk into the egg mixture, whisking continuously.

7. Return the mixture to the saucepan and cook over medium heat, stirring constantly, until it thickens to a custard consistency. Remove from heat and stir in the vanilla extract. Transfer the custard to a bowl and let it cool completely.

8. Once the dough has doubled in size, gently punch it down and divide it into equal portions. Shape each portion into a round ball.

9. Take a dough ball and flatten it with your palm. Place a spoonful of the cooled custard filling in the center of the dough.

10. Carefully fold the edges of the dough up and over the filling, pinching them together to seal. Repeat the process with the remaining dough and custard filling.

11. Place the filled Cream Pan on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper, leaving some space between each roll. Cover them with a damp cloth and let them rise for another 30 minutes.

12. Preheat the oven to 180°C (350°F). Bake the Cream Pan for about 15-20 minutes or until they turn golden brown.

13. Remove from the oven and let the Cream Pan cool on a wire rack before serving.

HADITH SAHIH AL BUKHARI

Narrated 'Umar bin Al-Khattab: I heard Allah's Apostle saying, The reward of deeds depends upon the intentions and every person will get the reward according to what he has intended. So whoever emigrated for worldly benefits or for a woman to marry, his emigration was for what he emigrated for.

حَدَّثَنَا الْحُمَيْدِيُّ عَبْدُ اللَّهِ بْنُ الزُّبَيْرِ‏‏‏‏‏‏ٍ‏‏‏‏، قَالَ:‏‏‏‏ حَدَّثَنَا سُفْيَانُ‏‏‏‏‏‏ٍ‏‏‏‏، قَالَ:‏‏‏‏ حَدَّثَنَا يَحْيَى بْنُ سَعِيدٍ الْأَنْصَارِيُّ‏‏‏‏‏‏ٍ‏‏‏‏، قَالَ:‏‏‏‏ أَخْبَرَنِي مُحَمَّدُ بْنُ إِبْرَاهِيمَ التَّيْمِيُّ‏‏‏‏‏‏ٍ‏‏‏‏، أَنَّهُ سَمِعَ عَلْقَمَةَ بْنَ وَقَّاصٍ اللَّيْثِيَّ‏‏‏‏‏‏ٍ‏‏‏‏، يَقُولُ:‏‏‏‏ سَمِعْتُ عُمَرَ بْنَ الْخَطَّابِ‏‏‏‏‏‏ٍ‏‏‏‏رَضِيَ اللَّهُ عَنْهُ عَلَى الْمِنْبَرِ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏قَالَ:‏‏‏‏ سَمِعْتُ رَسُولَ اللَّهِ صَلَّى اللَّهُ عَلَيْهِ وَسَلَّمَ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏يَقُولُ:‏‏‏‏ "إِنَّمَا الْأَعْمَالُ بِالنِّيَّاتِ، ‏‏‏‏‏‏وَإِنَّمَا لِكُلِّ امْرِئٍ مَا نَوَى، ‏‏‏‏‏‏فَمَنْ كَانَتْ هِجْرَتُهُ إِلَى دُنْيَا يُصِيبُهَا أَوْ إِلَى امْرَأَةٍ يَنْكِحُهَا، ‏‏‏‏‏‏فَهِجْرَتُهُ إِلَى مَا هَاجَرَ إِلَيْهِ".

REFERENCE:

Sahih Al Bukhari 1: Chapter 1, Hadith 1