Still Obsessed

I'm still obsessed with Japanese Milk Bread, and finally my sourdough starter has finished fermenting so I can try adding that to the mixture.  I love the light, fluffiness of the bread but it needed a tad more flavor or depth or something, and I hoped my sweet sourdough starter (think Amish Friendship or Herman type starter) would do the trick and it did!  I got the light fluffy softness but with more depth of flavor than you expect in something this airy.

Here's what I did:

In a microwave safe mug combine 2 tbsp flour with 6 tbsp water, microwave on high until thickened (35 seconds in mine).  Pour into bread machine pan and add 1/3 cup starter, 1 egg, 1/2 cup milk, 1 tsp salt and 2 3/4 cup flour and a tsp of instant yeast.  Run on dough cycle and add 2 tbsp of cold butter once the other ingredients are well combined.  Remove after the second knead cycle and let rest for 10 minutes.  Divide into 12 balls, rolling each into a long oval.  Fold in one long side and then top with the other, then roll up like a jelly roll (spiral from the short end) and place seam side down (spirals on either side) in a greased cake pan for dinner rolls or separate on a cookie sheet for buns.  Repeat with other balls and let rise until double.  Brush with milk, oil, or butter just before baking.  Bake until set in middle and golden brown.