step one, prepare the dough ingredients

1. If you are using Fresh yeast or instant yeast: Add fresh yeast or instant yeast to a mixing bowl along with the flour, milk powder (optional), salt, warm milk, water, and softened butter. No activation is needed for these types of yeast, so you can combine all the ingredients at once and mix until a dough begins to form.
2. If you are using active dry yeast: mix the active dry yeast with warm milk and a sprinkle of sugar in a small bowl. Allow the mixture to sit for 5–10 minutes until it becomes frothy. Once activated, add it to a mixing bowl with the flour, milk powder (optional), salt, water, and softened butter. Mix everything together until the dough starts to come together.

step two, knead the dough

1. Knead the dough using a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook for about 15 minutes on medium-low speed. The dough should become smooth, elastic, and slightly tacky but not sticky. Proper kneading is essential to develop the gluten, ensuring your Totoro inspired mozzarella stuffed buns are soft and fluffy with a perfect texture. If kneading by hand, work the dough on a lightly floured surface for 15–20 minutes for similar results.

step three, proof the dough

1. Place the dough into a lightly oiled bowl, ensuring all sides are coated to prevent sticking. Cover it with plastic wrap or a damp towel and allow it to proof for about 1 hour and 30 minutes in a warm, draft-free environment. This crucial step allows the dough to rise and double in size, creating the soft, airy texture needed for your Totoro-inspired mozzarella buns. Ensuring proper proofing is key to achieving fluffy, cloud-like bread that’s easy to shape and stuff with cheese.

step four, portion the dough

1. Once the dough has doubled in size, gently punch it down to release any air. Divide the dough into 8 equal portions using a kitchen scale for precision. Shaping uniform portions ensures even baking and a consistent, fluffy texture in every Totoro mozzarella bun. Roll each section into a smooth ball to prepare for stuffing and shaping.

step five, Add mozzarella cheese

1. Take each dough portion and flatten it slightly in your hand. Place a generous amount of mozzarella cheese in the center of the dough. Carefully bring the edges together, pinching them tightly to seal the cheese inside. Roll the sealed dough gently into a smooth, round shape. Ensuring the dough is properly sealed prevents any cheese from leaking during baking.

step six, second proof

1. Arrange the stuffed buns evenly on a baking pan lined with parchment paper, leaving a small gap between each one. Cover them lightly with plastic wrap to retain moisture. Allow the buns to proof in a warm environment for 30 minutes. During this time, they will puff up slightly, ensuring soft and fluffy Totoro-inspired buns once baked.

step seven, egg wash

1. Preheat your oven to 180°C (356°F) while the buns complete their second proofing. Beat one egg to create an egg wash, then gently brush it over the surface of each bun. This step gives the buns a beautiful golden-brown finish during baking.

step eight, bake the cheese buns

1. Place the prepared buns in the preheated oven and bake at 180°C (356°F) for about 20 minutes, or until the tops are golden brown. Keep an eye on them during the final minutes to ensure they don’t overbake. The buns should be soft, fluffy, and slightly golden, with the cheese inside perfectly melted.

step nine, stamp the bread

1. Once the buns come out of the oven, immediately stamp each one while they are still warm. Heat the Totoro iron stamp for about 10 minutes before use to ensure it leaves a clear imprint. The heating time may vary depending on your heat source, using a fireplace or stovetop can help achieve the ideal temperature. After stamping, generously brush the buns with melted butter for added flavor and shine. Enjoy these adorable, cheesy Totoro inspired buns while they’re still warm!