This is not the first time I’ve used black sesame in a baked good and it will not be the last. Black sesame has a rich, nutty flavour that is deeper than its white relative – and its signature flavour just happens to go really well in baked goods and desserts. Thus, I decided to join my love for (a) baking bread; (b) matcha and (c) star wars into a matcha bread star. Yes, okay, the link to star wars is barely there, but it’s a star. So it counts. A little. This is essentially a very Asian twist on those Swedish cinnamon roll star breads.
You know when you have a crazy craving for something and you start to feel like it's all you can think about? Well that's kinda what it's been like for me and black sesame. I'm pretty sure it's all I've been talking about for the last month or so. I'm obsessed and I want to put it in/on everything. Yup, everything. I mean, maybe I am a little too obsessed with black sesame. But it is also very likely that I'm just a little preoccupied with all things sesame. And so, this matcha star bread with black sesame filling is a product of that obsession.
It is no secret that black sesame is a favourite flavour of mine, but I'm particularly fond of it in this star bread, because of the subtle flavour that permeates with every bite of this bread. Also, I'm fond of grey, and this soft grey tint to the flesh of this bread makes me irrationally happy. I have this crazy love for making bread and always feel so satisfied looking at it pre-bake. They don't look too bad post oven bake either...ok, they look better than not bad, they look awesome. And after brushing on with milk and sprinkling with more black sesame seeds, they're mouthwateringly beautiful. So pretty it'll be hard to wait for them to cool completely. (I won't judge you if you can't wait.)
Although the black sesame paste is totally black in colour, it will not yield a black coloured bread, the result would be more of a grey colour. The crunch of the black sesame seeds provide just the right amount of contrast and that glaze on top is like a sweet little surprise, we love to save that bite for last. So may we all give a round of applause to the power couple that is matcha and black sesame? They go so swimmingly well together in sweet green tea and nutty sesame glory, and they even look good together, in that dark but whimsical way. To the designer that creates a matcha and black sesame inspired dress, can I be your friend?
IF YOU EVER GIVE THIS RECIPE A TRY, DO LEAVE A COMMENT BELOW AND/OR TAG @FRUITYEMZ AND HASHTAG #FRUITYEMZ ON YOUR INSTAGRAM POST! 🙂
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