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Korean Melon Pan Recipe

Sweet bread with a distinctive crispy cookie crust and soft, fluffy interior, topped with refreshing melon flavor.

Prep: 3 hours Bake: 18 min Difficulty: Advanced Makes: 8 buns

Ingredients

For the Bread Dough:

  • 300g bread flour
  • 50g granulated sugar
  • 6g instant yeast
  • 5g salt
  • 1 large egg
  • 180ml warm milk
  • 40g butter, softened

For the Cookie Crust:

  • 100g butter, softened
  • 80g granulated sugar
  • 1 large egg
  • 150g plain flour
  • 1 tsp melon extract
  • Green food coloring (optional)
  • 1/4 tsp vanilla extract

For Assembly:

  • 1 egg, beaten (for egg wash)
  • Granulated sugar for sprinkling

Instructions

Make the Bread Dough:

  1. Mix flour, sugar, yeast, and salt in a large bowl.
  2. Add egg and warm milk, mix until dough forms.
  3. Knead in softened butter until smooth and elastic, about 10 minutes.
  4. Place in oiled bowl, cover, and rise for 1 hour until doubled.

Make the Cookie Crust:

  1. Cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy.
  2. Beat in egg, melon extract, vanilla, and food coloring.
  3. Gradually mix in flour until dough forms.
  4. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for 30 minutes.

Shape and Assemble:

  1. Divide bread dough into 8 equal pieces.
  2. Shape each into a smooth ball and place on lined baking sheet.
  3. Cover and rise for 45 minutes.
  4. Roll cookie dough between plastic wrap into 8 circles.
  5. Place each circle over a bread ball, covering completely.
  6. Score grid pattern with knife.
  7. Brush with egg wash and sprinkle with sugar.
  8. Bake at 180°C (350°F) for 15-18 minutes until golden.

Melon Pan Mastery

Cookie Crust

The cookie dough should be pliable but not sticky. Chill if too soft, or add a little milk if too stiff.

Grid Pattern

Score the grid pattern gently - just deep enough to create lines without cutting through to the bread.

Fresh Flavor

Melon extract gives the authentic flavor, but you can substitute with vanilla for a classic version.