• Pour 3 oz whole milk into a microwave safe container and microwave until scalding hot, but not boiling. Stir ½ teaspoon ground ginger into the milk and set it aside to cool to 100°F.
• In the bowl of a stand mixer with the paddle attachment or a large mixing bowl with a wooden spoon, combine8 oz active sourdough starter, milk, and 1/2 cup of the bread flour. Mix to form a thick batter. Cover the bowl and set aside for 30-60 minutes. Add 1 oz unsalted butter (melted), ½ oz granulated sugar, 1 teaspoon salt and 1 large egg.
• If working on a stand mixer, switch to the dough hook. With the mixer running, add the remaining flour. The dough should gather on the hook and clear the sides of the bowl. If working by hand mix as much flour as you can with the spoon, then finish kneading in the rest of the flour by hand. Turn the dough out onto a floured surface and knead to a smooth ball.
• Transfer the dough to a lightly oiled bowl, turning once to coat the dough. Cover the bowl and set it aside at room temperature. After 30 minutes uncover the bowl, lift one side of the dough over into the middle of the dough. Repeat with the other three sides of the dough then flip the dough over. Cover the bowl and after 30 minutes repeat the procedure. Cover the bowl and after 60 minutes repeat the procedure. Cover the bowl and after 60 minutes repeat the procedure one last time. By now the dough should be lively, elastic and airy. If the dough is still sluggish give it another hour or two at room temperature.
• At this point the dough can be refrigerated for up to 2 days or you can go ahead and shape and bake the loaf.

Assembly

• Generously butter a 9"x 5" loaf pan. Sprinkle the pan with granulated sugar to coat and dump out the excess. In a small bowl, toss together 5 oz pearl sugar with 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon then mix in the tablespoon of melted butter.
• Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface. Pat to a rough 12" square. Sprinkle the sugar pearls over the center of the dough and press them into an even layer. Fold the two sides of the dough like a letter and pat down to an even layer. Fold the dough again then knead until the sugar pearls are evenly distributed in the dough. Cover the dough and rest 20 minutes.
• Roll the dough to a 9" x 12" rectangle. From the short side, tightly roll the dough into a 9" long log, pinching the seam together. Place the dough, seam side down, into the prepared pan. Cover the pan and rise until the dough expands to fill the pan, about 2 hours (longer if the dough has been refrigerated). Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 350 °F.
• Brush the top of the loaf with egg wash and sprinkle with a handful of sugar pearls. Bake until the bread is golden brown and the internal temperature is 200 °F, about 40 minutes.
• Run a small paring knife or spatula around the sides of the loaf to separate it from the pan. Turn it out onto a cooling rack. Don't leave the loaf in the pan or the melted sugar will make the loaf stick.
• Cool completely before slicing.