Description
Wool Roll Bread is a beautifully braided, pull-apart bread shaped like a ball of yarn. It’s incredibly soft, lightly sweet, and perfect for special occasions, holidays, or whenever you want a show-stopping homemade bread. This Asian-inspired bread features delicate layers and can be filled with sweet or savory spreads, making it a versatile treat that is both delicious and visually stunning.
Ingredients
Dough Ingredients
- 3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
- 2 ¼ tsp active dry yeast (1 packet)
- 1 cup warm milk (110°F / 43°C)
- ¼ cup granulated sugar
- 4 tbsp unsalted butter, softened
- 1 large egg, room temperature
- 1 tsp salt
Optional Filling (choose one)
- Softened butter
- Garlic butter
- Sweet red bean paste
- Chocolate spread
Instructions
- Activate the yeast: In a large bowl, combine warm milk, sugar, and yeast. Let sit for 5–10 minutes until foamy to ensure the yeast is active.
- Mix the dough: Add softened butter, room temperature egg, salt, and 2 cups of the flour to the yeast mixture. Stir until combined.
- Add remaining flour: Gradually add the remaining flour, mixing continuously until a soft dough forms.
- Knead the dough: Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for 8–10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- First rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, and let it rise in a warm spot for about 1 hour or until it doubles in size.
- Prepare the dough portions: Punch down the dough to release air and divide it into 5 equal portions.
- Shape the rolls: Roll each portion into a rectangle. Spread your chosen filling lightly over the dough, then cut thin strips halfway through the rectangle.
- Form the wool rolls: Starting from the solid end, roll each piece tightly to form a wool-like roll that mimics the appearance of yarn.
- Arrange in pan: Place the rolls seam-side down in a greased round pan, arranging them to form a circle that resembles a ball of yarn.
- Second rise: Cover the arranged rolls and let rise for 30–40 minutes until puffy and almost doubled.
- Bake: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Bake the bread for 25–30 minutes until the top is golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped.
- Cool and serve: Allow the bread to cool slightly before serving. Optionally, brush the top with melted butter for extra softness and shine.
Notes
- Keep the cuts in the dough shallow so the rolls don’t tear when rolling.
- Brushing with melted butter immediately after baking helps keep the bread soft and adds a nice sheen.
- Choose sweet fillings like red bean paste or chocolate spread for a dessert-style bread or savory options like garlic butter for a more savory loaf.
- Make sure the milk is warm, not hot, to avoid killing the yeast during activation.
- This bread freezes well; wrap tightly and thaw at room temperature when ready to enjoy.
- Prep Time: 30 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 minutes
- Category: Bread
- Method: Baking
- Cuisine: Asian-Inspired
