From above, gorgeous pastel-pink squares of fluffy bread arrayed on a dark wood board. Each piece is dusted with powdered sugar, mimicking the internal white layer of a watermelon slice. Cubes of fresh, vibrant watermelon garnish the scene, hinting at the flavor within.

Korean Watermelon Milk Bread

Name: Korean Watermelon Milk Bread
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 40 min
Total time: 70 min
Yield: 4
Cuisine: Korean Fusion
Ingredients: Watermelon, 6 cups diced; all-purpose flour, 4 cups; instant dry yeast, 1 packet; sugar, 1/2 cup; milk, 1/2 cup warm; unsalted butter, 1/4 cup melted; salt, 1 tsp; Watermelon juice, 1 tbsp for glaze; powdered sugar, 1 tbsp for dusting

Category Quick and Easy

Prep 30 minutes

Cook 40 minutes

Style Korean Fusion

Technique Baking

Diet Friendly Vegetarian

Daily Recipe: August 17, 2023

This inventive recipe blends the soft, pillowy texture of Korean milk bread with the refreshing sweetness of seasonal watermelons. It's a stunning fusion that's both deliciously comforting and uniquely summery.

Ingredients (for 4)

Watermelon - 6 cups - diced
All-purpose flour - 4 cups
Instant dry yeast - 1 packet
Sugar - 1/2 cup
Milk - 1/2 cup - warm
Unsalted butter - 1/4 cup - melted
Salt - 1 tsp
Watermelon juice - 1 tbsp - for glaze
Powdered sugar - 1 tbsp - for dusting

Preparation

Step 1 - 🍉➡️🔁

Process the watermelon in a blender until it's smooth.
Step 2 - 🍉➡️❄️

Strain the watermelon purée and separate 1 tbsp for glaze. Freeze the rest.
Step 3 - 🥛+🍚➡️⏱️

In a stand mixer bowl, mix warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for five minutes.
Step 4 - 🥣➡️🌪️

Add the strained watermelon purée, flour, melted butter, and salt to the yeast mixture. Start mixing on low, then increase speed to medium till the dough forms and is smooth.
Step 5 - 🥣➡️🕐️

Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
Step 6 - 💪➡️🍞

Knock back the dough and divide into equal parts. Shape them into balls and place into a greased loaf pan.
Step 7 - 👩‍🍳➡️🥖

Bake at pre-heated oven at 375 degrees F for 40 minutes, until the tops are golden brown.
Step 8 - 💦+🍚➡️✨

Mix the saved watermelon juice with powdered sugar. Apply this glaze over the loaf as soon as it's out of the oven.
Step 9 - 🍞➡️❄️

Let the bread cool before cutting into it.

Additional

You can add a dash of vanilla essence to the dough for added aroma. Also, this bread can be made entirely vegan by substituting the milk with any plant milk and the butter with coconut oil.