Meronpan (メロンパン)
Japan
Traditional Japanese buns resembling the shape of a muskmelon. Tender, slightly sweet, coated with a crisp crust of shortcrust dough and sprinkled with granulated sugar.
Ingredients
- 150 g hard wheat flour
- 3 g dry yeast
- 50 g sugar
- 80 ml water
- 1 pcs egg
- 0.25 tsp salt
- 50 g butter
- 100 g soft wheat flour
- 0.25 tsp baking powder
- 0.5 pcs lemon zest
- 1 pcs egg yolk
- 1 tbsp milk
- to taste granulated sugar
Steps
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In a bowl, combine dry yeast with water, add beaten egg, sugar, hard wheat flour, and salt. Knead the dough, mixing for about 10 minutes, beating it against the surface.
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Add 10 g of butter, knead for another 5 minutes. Shape into a ball and place it in a butter‑greased bowl.
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Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place until the dough expands 2‑3 times (≈30‑40 minutes).
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Prepare the shortcrust pastry: combine soft wheat flour with baking powder and add lemon zest. In a separate bowl, cream the butter with sugar until light, then add milk and egg yolk. Stir in the flour mixture and knead the dough.
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Wrap the dough in plastic wrap and chill for 20 minutes.
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Divide the risen dough into 8 equal pieces, shape each into a round bun, removing excess air. Cover with plastic wrap and let rest for 10 minutes.
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Cut the chilled shortcrust dough into 8 portions, lightly dust with flour and roll each into a round disc about 8 cm in diameter. Wrap the top of each bun with a disc of shortcrust dough.
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Sprinkle the buns with granulated sugar, make a light pattern with a knife, and let them rise another ~30 minutes.
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Bake in a preheated 170 °C oven on the middle rack for 15 minutes until golden brown.
FAQ
What is Meronpan?
Meronpan is a popular Japanese sweet bun characterized by its crisp cookie-like crust and soft, fluffy interior, often resembling a cantaloupe (melon) in appearance.
Why is it called 'Melon Pan'?
It's named 'melon pan' because its crisscross pattern on the crust and round shape often resemble the skin of a cantaloupe or muskmelon, though it typically doesn't contain melon flavor.
Is Meronpan difficult to make at home?
While it involves a few steps, our Umami Guru recipe, especially with AI assistance, simplifies the process, making it achievable for home bakers. The total preparation time is around 165 minutes.
What are the key ingredients for Meronpan?
Essential ingredients include hard and soft wheat flour, yeast, sugar, butter, eggs, and lemon zest for the cookie crust, topped with granulated sugar.
Can Meronpan be found in Ghibli anime?
While Meronpan itself might not be explicitly featured, its whimsical and comforting nature perfectly aligns with the enchanting food aesthetics often seen in Studio Ghibli films, inspiring a sense of nostalgia and warmth.