Chef John's Milk Bread

Details

Ingredients

• ¼ cup bread flour
• ¼ cup water
• ⅓ cup whole milk
• 2 ½ cups bread flour
• 1 ¼ teaspoons kosher salt
• ¼ cup white sugar
• 1 (.25 ounce) package instant dry yeast
• ½ cup warm whole milk (110 degrees F (43 degrees C))
• 1 large egg, beaten
• 4 tablespoons unsalted butter, at room temperature, cubed
• 1 tablespoon milk, or as needed