When you think of the name “pillow bread” what do you think it refers to? Pillows of course! So how can bread be called such a silly name? Well, there are different factors: it’s either the flavour, shape or texture. In this case, it’s not the flavour! This recipe refers to its texture but the shape is quite different.

The recent popularity of pillow bread started when a bakery called Mad Milk in Indonesia made its version. Before that, pillow bread was mostly made popular in Japan with its pillow-like shape and texture. The colour was also mostly pale, to almost white.

The great thing about baking is that you don’t have to purchase it anywhere else, you can just make it yourself! And the best part, you can make your version of the pillow bread.

In this pillow bread recipe, the method is pretty simple and it’s a great beginner’s recipe too. You can also choose any kind of filling you want but I went with peanut butter and strawberry jam to make my PB&J version.

As for the pillow bread dough itself, you will need to have two bowls for this: one for the starter dough and one for the main dough. The starter dough acts as a leavening for the main dough, they will eventually come together to make one dough, but this method is great for bread-making. It helps beginners practice how to activate the yeast.

And of course, the main difference in this recipe is its shape. I went with a pastel-like shape to make it a personal bread as well as an egg wash on top to give it a glossy, mouth-watering finish.

This pillow bread texture is super soft, and fluffy, just like a pillow and I guarantee you’d want to keep making it!

So, without further ado let's jump into the Pillow Bread with Peanut Butter & Jam Fillings recipe!

Additional notes*

• You can shape this pillow bread dough however you want
• This dough is less sticky so it’s very easy to work with without having to use extra flour for dusting.
• Degas the dough.
• Tacky dough.