Crusty White Bread

Hi Guys,

Bread this week! There's nothing I love better than the smell of freshly baked bread, so it was about time to put a recipe for some on my blog!

This is a recipe for a typical white loaf with a thick crust making it perfect to have with soup. It was very simple to make and a perfect bread to make as a first attempt! Please remember, though, that whilst making bread it is also important to have enough time for the bread to rise in a bowl and then in the tin.

Homemade bread is also a lot healthier than shop bought bread, though it will go stale far quicker than a "normal" loaf due to the lack of preservatives (which is what makes it healthy!). This means that if you do make it, try to eat it sooner rather than later! Obviously, this bread is best served warm, although I'm sure it tastes amazing served in other ways, like a sandwich!

Crusty White Bread From "Bread 100 everyday recipes

Making Time - 30mins

Proving Time - 1 and a half hours

Baking Time - 30mins

Ingredients - 

• 1 Egg (and an extra yolk)
• 150 - 200ml Lukewarm Water
• 500g Strong White Bread Flour
• 1 and a half tsp Salt
• 2 tsp Sugar
• 1 tsp Dried Yeast
• 25g Butter

1. Place the egg and yolk into a jug and beat lightly. Add enough lukewarm water to make up 300ml and stir well.

2. Sift the flour into a bowl and stir in the salt, sugar and yeast. Add the butter and rub in in with your fingertips until the mixture resembles breadcrumbs. Make a well in the centre, add the egg mixture and work to a smooth dough.

3.  Turn out onto a lightly floured surface and knead well for about 10 minutes or until smooth. brush a bowl with oil and place the dough inside and cover with a towel. Leave to rise for an hour, or it has doubled in size.

4. Brush a 900g or 2 pound loaf tin with oil. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for another minute or until smooth. Shape the dough to the length of the tin and three times the width. Fold the dough into the tin with the join underneath, then cover with a towel and leave in a warm for half an hour. Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 220 Degrees Centigrade/425 Degrees Fahrenheit/Gas Mark 7. Place the dough into the preheated oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until firm and golden brown. Leave to cool on a wire rack.

Please enjoy delicious bread!