White Bread Loaf

This White Bread Loaf is easy to make and I've included step by step instructions and answered lots of common bread making questions throughout this post. It makes perfect toast, and it's great for sandwiches too. Once you master homemade bread, you won't want to go back to shop bought!

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Welcome to my Baking Basics series!

In this series I will be sharing recipes for basic baked goods, think perfect scones for afternoon tea, a classic Victoria sponge cake , and ultimate gooey chocolate brownies! So basic in name, but definitely not basic in taste and enjoyment. This series is mainly for beginner bakers who want to learn the secrets behind baking, because getting the basics right is the best place to start. More experienced bakers will really enjoy it too, as there are so many delicious recipes to try out! This time it is the turn of the White Bread Loaf.

For the full recipe with measurements, head to the recipe card at the end of this post. This post is full of helpful tips and commonly asked questions when making bread, so I do recommend reading through it all first.

What equipment do you need to make bread?

You can make this White Bread Loaf without any speciality equipment if you knead it by hand. The minimum equipment you'll need is a mixing bowl, kitchen scales, a wooden or silicone spoon, and a 2lb loaf tin.

I prefer to use an electric stand mixer to knead my bread, so if you have one, then you can save yourself some work. I also like to bake my bread in a farmhouse style loaf tin, for the classic rectangular loaf of bread shape, however a loaf cake tin also works well. Baking bread in a tin gives the loaf more support and I do recommend starting with bread baked in a tin if you are new to making bread. A dough scraper is also a really handy bit of bread making kit, and they're very cheap to purchase.

Recommended equipment & ingredients:

• Loaf tin
• Mixing bowls
• Cooling rack
• Kitchen scales
• Fast action yeast
• Metal dough scraper/cutter
• Dough scraper
• Stand mixer
• Silicone Brush
• Silicone mat
• Paper storage bags
• Serrated bread knife

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What type of yeast should you use?

Active dry yeast

This can also be called dried active baking yeast, and it is, as the name suggests, a dried form of yeast. Before using it, you have to dissolve it in luke warm water or milk. It will froth up and bubble, indicating that the yeast is good to be used. If it does not do this, then the yeast has died and will not work in your recipe. It is sensitive to heat so when storing this type of yeast it has to be kept in a cool place, then it can last for several months. If you would like to use this type of yeast for this recipe, you will need 9g of active dried yeast.

Instant yeast

This is most popular type of yeast used in domestic kitchens, and it is also known as fast action dried yeast. You buy it in sachets, which weigh 7g each, or 2 teaspoons. It does not need dissolving in water before use, however you can still do this if you like. The great thing about this type of yeast is that you can just add it straight into the flour. It is my personal favourite kind of yeast for homemade bread baking, and the type I recommend for this recipe. You will need one 7g sachet instant yeast for this recipe.

Fresh yeast

Fresh yeast is most commonly used in professional bakeries and commercial kitchens. It is rare to find it on supermarket shelves. The reason is it's short shelf life - it only lasts around 10 days. If you would like to use this type of yeast for this recipe, you will need 8g fresh yeast.

The ingredients

To make bread you only need four basic ingredients: flour, water, yeast and salt. I also add olive oil, which has a few benefits. The oil increases the shelf life of the bread, it also makes the crust crispier and the inside more tender and soft. If you don't want to use oil, you can use softened butter instead, or replace it for the equivalent amount of water.

What type of flour is best for bread?

Strong bread flour is the best option for bread as it is high in protein which assists in the forming of gluten - a protein that creates the rise in bread, as well as creating the lovely bread texture that we all know and love. You can also make this recipe with regular plain flour, the bread may just rise a little less. I recommend Matthews Cotswold Flour for bread making. They are a family run business with a focus on sustainable and organic farming practices. I've visited and toured their mill set in the beautiful Cotswolds. You can also get 10% off any purchase from their website using my code: KATBAKINGEXPLORER.

Can you use other types of oil?

Yes, you can also use vegetable oil or other plain oils that don't have a strong taste like canola and sunflower oils. Or, if you do want to add some flavour to your bread you could try an infused oil, like garlic for example.

What temperature should the water be?

The water should be lukewarm or tepid, this essentially means room temperature water which is around 18C to 23C. It's important not to use hot water that's above 30C as this will most likely kill the yeast and your bread will not rise.

The method

Add the bread flour to a large mixing bowl, then add the yeast to one side and the salt to the opposite side. Do not pour the yeast and salt on top of one another, as this can stop the yeast from working. Stir everything together. Next, add the oil and stir it in, then add the water and mix until a rough dough forms.

If you are kneading the dough in your stand mixer, pop it into the bowl of your mixer and set it on a low speed with the dough hook attachment. Leave it to knead for 8-10 minutes, until the dough is smooth and supple, and comes away from the side of the bowl.

If you are kneading by hand, lightly flour your work surface and tip your dough onto it. Use the heel of your hand to push into the centre of the dough and away from you. Fold the dough in half, bringing it towards you, and then press down on it again with the heel of you hand and push it away.

Turn the dough as you knead it, continue to push it away and fold back until it is soft and supple. Try not to over flour your work surface, only use a light sprinkle if you really need to. It will become less sticky as you knead it.

Once you have kneaded the dough, place it into a lightly oiled bowl and cover with either cling film (plastic wrap) or a reusable alternative. Leave it to prove (rise) for around 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

How do you know when the White Bread Loaf has proved?

Depending on the temperature of your room, it will take slightly different times for the bread to complete it's first prove. Aim for 1 hour in a 21C room, then check the bread by giving it a poke. If the dough springs back easily, it needs more time. If it doesn't spring back at all, it's over proved. If it springs back about halfway, it's just right! If you're not sure, it's always better to have sightly under proved bread, than over proved bread.

To shape the dough into a loaf, tip it out onto your work surface and pat it out with your hands into a flat rectangle shape. Aim for it to be roughly the width of your loaf tin. Start rolling it up from the shorter end, using your thumbs to gently press the dough together as you roll.

Once you have rolled it up tightly, pinch the seam together with your fingertips. You can also pinch the side seams together too for a neater finish.

Roll the dough over, so the seam is on the bottom, lift it up and place it into a lightly oiled 2lb farmhouse loaf tin.

Cover loosely with either cling film (plastic wrap) or a reusable alternative, brush the cling film with oil first to stop it from sticking to the dough. Leave it to prove for 30 minutes, then remove the cling film, and it's ready to bake!

How can you tell if bread has been baked long enough?

The best way is to tip it out of the tin and tap the base with your fingertips (be careful as it will be very hot!) if it sounds hollow, then it's done. I've never had to bake this recipe longer than 30 minutes, but ovens can vary so it is best to check.

How should you slice the White Bread Loaf?

A sharp serrated knife is best for slicing bread. I have a Fiddle Bow bread knife which I got for my birthday and I honestly think they're amazing! They are based in the UK, but they do post them internationally too.

How should bread be stored and for how long?

Unsliced bread can be stored unwrapped for a day on your kitchen worktop. Once you slice it, I've found it best stored in a paper bag. You can also store in an airtight container or a ziplock bag, but the crust does loose it's crustyness when you do this. However if you're just planning to toast it, then this is not an issue. This bread will keep well for 2-4 days, however it really is best eaten within 1-2 days.

Can the White Bread Loaf be frozen?

Yes, you can freeze the bread either whole, or cut into slices and then freeze. Make sure to wrap it well, or freeze in an ziplock bag or plastic tub, to prevent freezer burn.

Can this bread be made with wholemeal flour?

Yes, however I have found this makes the loaf more dense due to the lower amount of protein in wholemeal flour. I prefer to make this loaf with half wholemeal flour and half white flour for a more pleasant texture.

Can this bread recipe be made gluten free?

If you are coeliac or are wanting to bake bread for someone who is, I would advise that you look for a specifically gluten free bread recipe. It is much easier to follow an already gluten free bread recipe, than try to adapt one. I am not familiar with gluten free baking, and I have no experience with baking gluten free bread. I recommend starting with this Gluten Free Bread recipe from The Gluten Free Alchemist.

Can you make this White Bread Loaf recipe into bread rolls?

Yes, after the first prove, split the dough into 12. Roll it into balls, and place into a lightly oiled traybake tin (I use a 12" x 9" tin), or you could use a baking tray too. Then cover and give it a second prove (rise) for 30 minutes. It will only need baking for around 20 minutes, or until golden and risen.

What can go wrong?

Of course there are always some things that could go wrong when baking bread, especially for the first time, here are some common issues and how to solve them:

It didn't rise

• The dough was not proved (left to rise) in a warm place
• You may have added too much flour to the work surface when kneading the dough by hand
• The yeast you used is dead, out of date, or you forgot to add yeast (it happens!)
• You didn't follow the recipe exactly. For example, you didn't use the same flour, you didn't prove the bread long enough, or you didn't knead the dough for long enough

The bread is claggy or dense

All of the above issues can also cause this problem too. Adding too much salt can also create a dense loaf

The bread cracked on top

• The dough was improperly shaped
• Too much flour was used during the kneading process
• The loaf pan is too small (I recommend a 2lb loaf tin for this recipe)

There are air pockets in the bread

This is because you haven't rolled it tightly enough when shaping the loaf, make sure to roll the dough tightly and press the seam down with your thumbs with each roll.

Anything else?

If you have any other issues with your bread baking, please let me know in the comments below and I will do my best to help you. There is often a simple solution to most bread baking problems!

Variations?

You can add flaxseeds/linseeds, poppy seeds, sesame seeds, or sunflower seeds to the dough. Knead them through the dough or sprinkle them on top. Brush the loaf with water or egg wash after you've shaped it and put it in the tin, then sprinkle on the seeds. It also looks really pretty if you slash the top a few times with a sharp knife or lame after adding seeds.

More Baking Basics recipes...

If you like this, check out more of my Bread recipes!