Bear Cartoon Character Bread Buns 小熊小面包

Earlier i saw this type of cute cartoon character bread buns shared in few Japanese Instagram. It inspired me to make some, and now i am addicted to it ^_^. There is so much of fun looking at them and a bit heartache to enjoy them, LOL.

Bear Cartoon Character Bread Buns 小熊小面包

For the bread

350g High protein flour or bread flour

40g caster sugar

15g cocoa powder (I use Valrhona cocoa powder)

1/2tsp fine salt

1tsp instant yeast

230g fresh milk

25g unsalted butter, room temperature

For decorate the bear face

White chocolate

Dark chocolate

milk

Method

1. In a stand mixer, add in bread ingredients except butter, mix and knead till smooth.
2. Add in butter, knead till elastic and shining dough. Cover and set aside to proof till double in size.
3. Punch down the dough to expel air, to weight 35g each for 16 portions for the body and shape into round ball. And also to weight 2g each for the ear for 32 portions, rest for 15mins.
4. Take 35g dough and fill in ~1tsp Nutella, wrap and shape into ball, place into a baking pan (9’x9’), repeat till finished.
5. Brush milk on the dough, then place two 2g dough for the ear, lightly press to stick. Repeat till all ear dough finished .Cover and let is proof for another 30-45mins.
6. Bake at pre-heated oven at 180C for 20mins, remove from baking tin, set aside till completely cool down before decorate it.
7. Melt white chocolate, then use a Chinese brush to paint at the centre. Melt dark chocolate, fill in a piping bag, then make the eyes, nose and mouth.
8. Store in air-tight container to avoid bread buns turned dry quickly.

Recipe by Sonia a.k.a Nasi Lemak Lover