The Perfect Standard Bread Recipe: A Step-By-Step Guide for Home Cooks
Baking bread at home can be a delightful and rewarding experience. The aroma of freshly baked bread wafting through your kitchen is simply unmatched. In this guide, you'll learn how to make the perfect standard bread using simple ingredients and methods. This step-by-step recipe will help you create a delicious loaf that your family and friends will love.
Ingredients You Will Need
Before diving into the process, it's crucial to gather all the ingredients. For the standard bread recipe, you will need:
450g strong plain flour
2 tsp salt
15g butter
1 tsp caster sugar
2 tsp dried yeast
300ml lukewarm water
Milk or beaten egg for brushing
With these ingredients handy, you're now ready to start baking!
Preparing the Dough
The first step in your bread-making journey is to prepare the dough. Begin by sifting the strong plain flour and salt into a mixing bowl. This step is essential as it helps aerate the flour and ensures the salt is evenly distributed for flavor.
Next, rub in the butter. Use your fingertips to mix the butter into the flour until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. This process adds richness and tenderness to your bread.
After the dry ingredients are ready, activate the yeast. Dissolve the caster sugar in 300ml of lukewarm water, then sprinkle the dried yeast on top. Leave this mixture in a warm place for about 10 minutes until it becomes frothy, indicating the yeast is active. Using fresh yeast significantly increases bread rise by 30% compared to older yeast.
Mixing and Kneading
Once your yeast mixture is frothy, add it all at once to the bowl containing the dry ingredients. Mix everything together to form a firm dough. If it's sticky, add a little more flour until it leaves the sides of the bowl clean.
Next, turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead vigorously for about 10 minutes. Kneading develops gluten, which gives bread its structure and chewiness. Properly kneaded dough will be smooth and elastic. To check if it’s ready, perform the "windowpane test": stretch a small piece of dough. If it forms a thin, transparent film without tearing, you’re good to go.
After kneading, let it rise. Cover the dough with a damp tea towel or greased polythene bag and rest it in a warm place until it has doubled in size. This rising period usually takes between 1 to 1.5 hours, depending on your kitchen's temperature.
Shaping the Loaves
Once the dough has risen, turn it out onto a floured surface again. Gently knead it until firm. Divide the dough into two equal pieces and shape each piece to fit a 450g (1lb) loaf tin.
Make sure to grease the tin before placing the shaped dough inside. After placing the dough, cover the tins again and let the dough rise a second time until it doubles in size and reaches the top of the tin. This second rise helps create a lighter, airier loaf.
Baking Your Bread
Preheat your oven to 230°C (210°C for fan ovens) or gas mark 8. While waiting for the oven to heat, brush the tops of the loaves with milk or a mixture of beaten egg and milk. This step will give your bread a beautiful golden crust.
Bake the loaves in the preheated oven for about 30-40 minutes. You'll know the bread is ready when it shrinks slightly from the sides of the tin, and tapping the bottom produces a hollow sound. This sound indicates that the bread has baked through completely.
Once baked, remove the loaves from the tin and let them cool on a wire rack. Cooling is essential to prevent a soggy bottom, as it allows steam to escape from the bread.
Enjoying Your Homemade Standard Bread
Your standard bread is now complete! The satisfying crunch of the crust paired with the soft, pillowy interior makes for a delightful experience. Enjoy it warm with butter or use it for delicious sandwiches. The recipe is versatile; feel free to add herbs like rosemary or garlic, mix in cheese, or even incorporate seeds like sesame for different flavors and textures.
Baking Success Awaits
Baking the perfect standard bread is a task that can yield incredible results. With just a few simple ingredients and some patience, you can create a fresh and delicious loaf right in your kitchen.
Keep in mind that practice makes perfect. Each time you bake, you’ll learn something new, so don’t hesitate to experiment with different flavors or techniques. Happy baking!
Comments