Kopitiam Bread (Hailam Bread)

I’ve always loved the crustless fluffy loaves of bread that are often wrapped in plastic bags and sold at provision shops. They are a staple at our traditional coffeeshops (kopitiams) where they are eaten with kaya and thick slices of butter. They are the perfect vehicle for kaya - I can’t imagine eating kaya on sourdough! The origins of this particular type of bread are murky and it goes by several names in Singapore. Some call it Hailam bread, attributing its origins to the Hainanese who dominated the kopitiam trade back in the 1950s. Others credit the Indian Muslims for bringing roti bengali to Singapore. Another name this bread goes by is Nanyang bread. Either way, the beauty of this loaf is that it is not enriched, made only with basic ingredients. Yet, the tenderness and fluffiness of this loaf is unparalleled. In Singapore, you would be able to find both white and brown variants of this bread. You can substitute white sugar for the black sugar to get a pure white loaf.
Kopitiam Bread:
30g black sugar
225g water
5g dry yeast
7g salt
365g bread flour
25g soft butter
1. Combine the black sugar and water. Heat in a microwave until sugar melts.
2. Cool until the mixture is warm, not hot.
3. Mix the yeast, salt and bread flour and form a well.
4. Add the sugar mixture to the well and combine.
5. Knead until all flour has been absorbed before adding the soft butter. Knead until the butter is incorporated into the dough.
6. Transfer to a floured work surface and knead until smooth. The dough should be slightly tacky but not sticky.
7. Cover and proof until doubled, about 1 hour.
8. Punch out gas and shape into a log
9. Place the dough in a buttered 9x4x4” bread loaf pan.
10. Cover the pan with a tea towel. Proof until protruding from the top of the loaf tin, about 1 hour.
11. Bake 180C for 25-30 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 90C.
12. Flip out after 10 minutes and cool completely before slicing.
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[@iblessyou.forextrablessing7597]

I never dreamed to find this recipe, thank you

[@bdfoodqueenbymoon3190]

অনেক সুন্দর হয়েছে,

[@AJ-Ducray]

Where can you get black sugar in Australia? (or what is it called here if it goes by a different name). I can't wait to try this!

[@sgpnoodles]

Asian grocers! It is a Chinese ingredient, or you could use Indian jaggery!

[@AJ-Ducray]

@@sgpnoodles Ok I'll try there! thanks so much :)

[@vanillanice663]

They used to sell the bread crust at the local bakery 🤣🤣🤣.

[@pinkfinproduction493]

Black sugar means brown sugar ( cane ) or brown palm sugar?

[@sgpnoodles]

Chinese black sugar! But you can use brown sugar or brown palm sugar as well 🙂

[@evelynyeo1131]

It’s a little dry, can I add some milk ? Will brown sugar do ?

[@sgpnoodles]

Sure you can! :-)