For some time, I have wanted to try to make my own bread. I think there’s something quintessentially British about making your own bread; it makes me think of country kitchens, local bakeries and times gone by.
Image courtesy of Google
I don’t know why I haven’t tried to make my own bread before. I guess it was a time thing as I had heard it was rather time-consuming. The other issue was the kneading; kneading bread dough for a good 15-20minutes was not a particularly appealing thought although I am sure it can be therapeutic.
Last weekend, Mr MAC finally talked me into buying a mixer for the kitchen. I am doing more and more baking so it really made sense to make the purchase in order to give my fingers, wrists, elbows and shoulders a bit of a break! Anyone who knows me knows that I am extremely stubborn and do not give in easily therefore, it has taken him months to convince me to make the purchase! I can say that I am very thankful he did as in the 5 or so days I have had the mixer, it has already proved itself very useful, especially where making bread was concerned. Our mixer was very reasonable at £40. Although I would love a Kitchenaid, that purchase will have to wait for another day!!
On our way back from Lincolnshire, we purchased some tomato and onion bread flour from Spalding farm shop. We decided that, as we are growing our own rosemary, to add this to the mixture as well. Maud Foster Mill is a working windmill just outside Boston, Lincolnshire that was built in 1819. People are able to visit the mill to see it in operation and there are many local goods for sale in its gift shop.
The recipe we followed came from my latest cookbook to add to my already bulging collection, ‘The Great British Bake Off – How to Bake’. I already adore this book and it still hasn’t left our coffee table and been put away with all of its counterparts as I keep leafing through it! The book not only features top recipes and technical bakes from the series, it also has step by step picture guides and practical tips. I have a feeling I will be making many more recipes from this book in the not too distant future….
The Great British Bake Off’s White Loaf
700g strong white bread flour
2 tsp crushed sea salt flakes
1 x 7g sachet fast-action dried yeast
450ml lukewarm water
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Put flour, salt and dried yeast into a mixing bowl, mix together and add a well in the centre. Pour the lukewarm water into the well.
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Mix the flour into the water to make a soft dough. If the dough feels a bit too stiff and dry add a bit more water. If it’s too sticky, add a little bit more flour.
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Using a food mixer and the dough hook attachment, mix for about 6 minutes. The dough should now be pliable, smooth and silky.
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Put a damp teatowel over the mixing bowl and leave to rise until doubled in size (two hours at normal room temperature).
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On a floured surface, punch down the dough with your knuckles to deflate it and knock our the air bubbles. Knead gently for one minute.
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Divide the dough into two equal portions and shape each one into a ball.
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Roll each ball around in your hands until small and neat. Put the dough on a floured baking sheet and cover with a damp tea towel. Allow to rest until doubled in size again which will take approximately an hour.
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Preheat the oven to 230 degrees. Heat a baking sheet in the oven and put a roasting tin at the bottom of the oven.
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Sprinkle each loaf with flour and slash with a knife. Transfer then onto the hot baking tray and out into the oven. Pour a cup of water into the roasting tin underneath to produce a burst of steam. Bake the loaves for 15 minutes.
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Reduce the oven temperature to 200 degrees and bake for a further 15-20 minutes or until golden brown and the loaves sound hollow when tapped underneath.
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Leave to cool on a wire rack
Above is the loaf taking shape before it went into the oven. We halved the recipe so only had one loaf although I kind of wish we’d of made two!
And out of the oven! I couldn’t believe how easy the bread was to make and how well it turned out. I would recommend the above recipe to anyone making bread for the first time – it certainly seems foolproof.
The bread was delicious. So delicious in fact, that I didn’t get to eat much of it at all…it all seemed to mysteriously disappear….!
I did manage to have a few slices of the bread with some cheese, red onion chutney and salad for a light lunch the next day. It really added a bit of something extra to an otherwise rather plain Ploughman’s lunch. I think I could really get into this bread making malarkey although I think my boyfriend now wants freshly baked bread on a daily basis…I think that may be taking things a bit too far!!
16 thoughts on “Recipe: The Great British Bake Off’s White Loaf”
tildyteacake
ooh – i have the bake-off book too so am going to have to give this recipe a shot! looks very yummy bread x
sarahsfoodieblog
Do, it is great and so so easy! Have you tried many recipes from there? This was my first but am eager to get stuck in!
tildyteacake
i had the book for christmas as i did quite a lot of baking last year (for the first time!) but i just found i was eating too much of it! have hardly baked anything this year so far but i think i might have a go at this bread 🙂
sarahsfoodieblog
I know what you mean!! When I am trying out cupcake recipes now I only make four and end up throwing one or two away!! I have also got very into baking for other people lately…I love doing it but cant have the finished results in the house for long otherwise I eat them!! Its a hard life having a hobby that can make you fat!
tildyteacake
lol! i started off making muffins mostly (as they freeze really well) but my last few baking attempts were mostly fruit cakes (teacakes and the like) but neither my other half or my daughter would eat them so i ended up eating half and chucking the other half so haven’t baked anything since! i have a cupcake kit from christmas too i should really get round to using too…
John Keogh
try making Irish soda bread, there’s no kneading necessary, it’s an absolute doddle (even I can do it!)
3 1/2 cups of wholemeal flour (much nicer than white soda bread)
1 teaspoon salt
1 teaspoon bicarb of soda
1 teaspoon sugar (optional)
250-300ml of Buttermilk / sour’d milk (normal milk with some vinegar and left for 15mins works)
mix it all together, adding the milk slowly
make a round loaf and shove it in the oven for about 55 mins
that’s it, all you need to then is slap a shed load of butter on it and tuck in!
sarahsfoodieblog
Thanks John, that recipe does seem really simple and I love soda bread. Im still in shock that you have baked your own bread though….lol! 🙂
John Keogh
ha, well that should show just how easy it is!
Although thinking about it, you may want to check the loaf after 45 mins (tap the bottom, if it makes a hollow sound then it’s done)
and after slapping on the butter, a load of jam!
sarahsfoodieblog
Butter and jam are a must I think! Thanks again 🙂
tildyteacake
John – that is a great bread recipe – will be trying that too!
Sarah Adie
Hi! Thanks for the follow! I’ve not tried making proper bread before – I gave soda bread a go and that was delicious. Definitely recommended! By the way, I’m holding a High Tea linky party (on between now and tomorrow at 4pm), so if you have any posts you want to show to the world, I’d love to see you at the party! 🙂
sarahsfoodieblog
Ooo will have to see what I can come up with if I have time!! Thanks for the invite 🙂
Sarah Adie
No worries, hope you can make it! You can always link up an old post you’ve written, you don’t have to write something new – it could just be a post that you’re particularly proud of and want to show the world!
Ks Cooking In The Kitchen
Where on earth did you manage to buy a truly great mixer for only £40? I would love to know – does it stand alone or do you have to hold it? 🙂
sarahsfoodieblog
It was from Tesco! Its a Breville one so not bad – not as good as some of the others out there perhaps but it does the trick for now. Not only does the bowl rotate, it is also detachable and can be used as a handmixer….fab!
Trèsors De Luxe
Congratulations on making your own bread! That is no small fete! We haven’t tried to attempt that yet, hopefully one day 🙂
xx ~ TDL
p.s. ~ If you like, you can enter in our “Grand Opening Giveaway” @ http://www.tresorsdeluxe.wordpress.com for a chance to win one of our most popular “Feathers” bracelets! 3 people will have the pick of their choice of colors: Turquoise, Coral or Onyx! Good luck!!!