What are some alternatives to the sweet bean paste that is used in Anpan.?

Question

I would like to make something very similar to Anpan (using the same bread recipe, but a different filler). My daughter doesn't care for the red bean paste that is in the traditional Anpan. Would fruit pie filling work or would that be too loose consistency wise? All suggestions for fillers both sweet and savory welcome!

Answer 1

you can use a peanut paste. or peanut butter with nuts. without the nuts will do. you can use any nuts. fruit would not work bcause the fruit juices will pour out in the bread and makes it soggy. mung beans are a good one. but if your daughter doesn't like to eat beans all together then nuts or dried fruit will probably work.

Answer 2

Custard cream and fruit jam will be OK.

Answer 3

I agree either nut pastes like peanut, cashew or almond, do you know what Nutella is?? a chocolate hazelnut spread from Italy (made in Canada).

Pie fillings like lemon, cherry and blueberry are fine, I would put it in a piece of saran wrap and make a ball, freeze it and when the dough has risen put it in the middle, draw the dough around it form the loaf and proof it to bake in a pan or on a aluminum pie pan well greased, this way as the dough rises the filling warms and melts inside the dough when baking.

I am not a fan of the bean pastes, I used to buy it when I worked in Japan once and awhile, usually small bun types, even a coconut, almond and sugar mix is a good filling, any question just drop me a line.