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Star Bread (Putok)

RecipesBREADJul 22Written By Malu Bonifacio

Star bread, or more known popularly as Putok, is a sweet, dense bread from the Philippines with a unique crown shape on top. This is formed by cross cutting the top using a pair of scissors or a knife. Just like pandesal, it is soft, but firm and compact on the outside.

I've always wondered why it was called putok. Putok is a Filipino word meaning "explosion", which is what happens when the steam goes out at the top of the bread due to the cross cut.

Star Bread (Putok)

Ingredients

  • 2¼ tsp active dry yeast
  • ¼ cup warm water
  • 1 tsp granulated sugar
  • 4 cups all purpose flour
  • ½ cup granulated sugar
  • 1 tsp salt
  • 1 cup warm milk
  • 4 tbsp melted unsalted butter
  • 1 egg
  • milk for brushing

Instructions

  1. Dissolve yeast in ¼ cup warmth water and 1 tsp sugar. Set aside until it bubbles.
  2. In a standing mixer, with dough hook attachment, mix the flour, sugar, salt, yeast mixture, milk, egg and butter.
  3. Mix until the dough is smooth and elastic. It will be slightly sticky to touch. Place in a greased bowl and cover for an hour or until it doubles in size.
  4. Once it doubles in size, punch the dough and divide it into 2 logs.
  5. Sub-divide into your desired size. I weigh it to 50 grams each.
  6. Roll the dough into a ball and place in a baking tray.
  7. Cover the tray and let it rests for 30 minutes. After 30 minutes preheat oven to 375 °F.
  8. Use a scissor or knife to slice the top of the dough like a cross.
  9. Brush the dough with milk.
  10. Bake for 25-30 minutes until golden brown.
  11. Brush with melted butter.