Tuesday, October 25, 2011

Baking Bread

On Sunday afternoon the kids and I made bread. We made a plaited loaf to have with dinner and some little rolls for the kids to take to their teachers on Monday morning. However as I was serving dinner, I noticed one bread roll was missing. My husband piped up guiltily "well I didn't know they were for the teachers".

So yesterday afternoon we were making bread again....

This is a fantastic recipe that works every time.  (courtesy of The Australian Women's Weekly Bake cookbook).  US readers be aware that your cup measurements are different to our Australian ones, I think.

You will need:
10g dried yeast
2 teaspoons castor sugar
125ml warm water
2 1/2 cups (375g) plain flour
1 tsp salt
30g butter, melted
125 mls warm milk

Whisk yeast, sugar and the warm water in a jug or bowl until yeast dissolves. Cover and stand in a warm place for about 10 minutes until the mixture is all frothy.


Sift flour and salt into a bowl. Stir in melted butter, milk and yeast mixture. If you have a mixer with a dough hook then mix on a low-medium speed for about 6 minutes. Else, turn dough onto a floured surface and give those biceps a workout. You'll need to knead for about 10 minutes until the dough is nice and elastic. I LOVE my KitchenAid!

Don't worry that the dough is still sticky at this stage. It is meant to be.  Otherwise your bread will be too heavy.

 Place the dough into a large oiled bowl, turning the dough once to cover it in oil. Cover and stand it in a warm place for about 1 hour or until the dough doubles in size.

Preheat your oven to 200 degrees (180 degrees Celcius for a fan forced oven). Oil an oven tray.

Turn the risen dough onto a floured surface and knead until smooth. 

These photos are of my 8 year old daughter kneading. She has amazing action - like an Italian nonna!
Shape your dough into whatever shapes you want. We made 4 plaited loaves using a double recipe. Plait just like you would long hair.
Place your rolls or loaves onto the oiled tray. Leave enough room between the loaves for them to spread.
If you want seeds on the top then brush with oil and sprinkle them on.
Cover with a clean tea towel and stand in a warm place for 20 minutes. The loaves should look something like this below.
Bake - the timing will depend on the shapes you have made. One large loaf will take approx 45 minutes. These loaves took around 25 minutes. Bread rolls will take about 15 minutes.
Turn onto a wire rack to cool. (or eat warm!)


 
Happy Baking! 
Sharing at:
Funky Junk Interiors

6 comments:

  1. Looks totally amazing, and I'll bet that your house smells wonderful!

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  2. Oh, Fiona, this looks wonderful! And I bet it smells awesome!! I want to try this!! I am now your newest follower; and I hope you will follow me too! Blessings to you!

    ReplyDelete
  3. I love baking bread, yours looks very yummy!

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  4. Your bread is just beautiful and am sure it tasted sooo good. :)
    I don't know your measurements...not sure how to convert to U.S. measurements.
    I am your new follower...come see me and follow, too. :)
    xo bj

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  5. I also bake bread on a regular basis, I love the way you shaped your bread.

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    ReplyDelete

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