Leopard Milk Bread is a delightful and eye-catching treat that brings a touch of whimsy to your baking repertoire. This recipe is inspired by the traditional French bakery technique, but with a playful twist that is both fun to make and incredibly delicious. The distinct leopard-like pattern of this bread will surely impress your family and friends, making it the perfect choice for a special brunch or as a charming gift. Get ready to roll up your sleeves and create this striking leopard milk bread that not only looks impressive but also tastes amazing!
Leopard Milk Bread Recipe By French Baker
**Ingredients:**
– 4 cups all-purpose flour
– 1/2 cup sugar
– 1 teaspoon salt
– 2 1/4 teaspoons active dry yeast
– 1 cup whole milk, warmed
– 1/4 cup unsalted butter, melted
– 1 egg
– 1 tablespoon cocoa powder
– 1 tablespoon milk
**Instructions:**
1. In a mixing bowl, combine the warm milk and yeast. Let it sit for about 5 minutes until the yeast is activated and becomes foamy.
2. Add the sugar, melted butter, egg, and salt to the yeast mixture. Stir well to combine all the wet ingredients.
3. Gradually add the flour to the wet ingredients, stirring until a soft dough forms.
4. Knead the dough on a floured surface for about 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about an hour, or until doubled in size.
5. Once the dough has doubled, punch it down to release the air. Divide the dough into two equal portions.
6. In one portion of the dough, knead in the cocoa powder mixed with a tablespoon of milk until well combined. This will give your bread the contrasting color for the leopard pattern.
7. Divide both the plain dough and the cocoa dough into small pieces (around 30g each). Shape them into small balls.
8. To form the leopard pattern, take a plain dough ball and flatten it slightly. Place a cocoa dough ball in the center and wrap the plain dough around it, shaping it into a ball. Repeat with the remaining dough pieces, alternating colors to create the leopard spots.
9. Arrange the dough balls in a greased loaf pan, stacking them on top of each other randomly to create a marbled effect.
10. Cover the loaf pan with a kitchen towel and let the dough rise for another 30 minutes.
11. Preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C). Bake the bread for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown and cooked through.
12. Once baked, remove the leopard milk bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for a few minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Enjoy your freshly baked Leopard Milk Bread with a slather of butter or your favorite jam. This bread is not only a feast for the eyes but also a comforting and delicious treat that will bring warmth to your home. Give this recipe a try for a creative and memorable baking experience that is sure to delight everyone who tastes it!
