Homemade flower bread

Delicious homemade "flower" bread recipe

Total preparation time: 2 hours (including rising time)
Cooking time: 30 minutes
Number of servings: 8-10

Who doesn’t love the aroma of freshly baked bread, with a golden, soft crust that crumbles easily between fingers? This "flower" bread recipe is not just a feast for the taste buds but also a visual delight, perfect for impressing family and friends. When I decided to make it, I thought of the moments spent in my mother’s kitchen, where the scent of warm bread gathered us all around the table. This easy-to-make recipe will turn any meal into a celebration.

Ingredients

- 1 kg wheat flour (preferably type 650 for a fluffier texture)
- 25 g fresh yeast or 10 g dry yeast
- 1 teaspoon of salt
- 1 teaspoon of sugar
- 600-650 ml lukewarm water (about 37-40 degrees Celsius)
- A cube of butter (about 30 g), melted and cooled
- Oil for greasing hands and the bowl
- Flour for dusting the work surface

Step by step

1. Preparing the ingredients: Make sure all ingredients are at room temperature. Sifting the flour is essential to avoid lumps and achieve a fine dough. Also, ensure that the butter is melted but cooled enough not to activate the yeast.

2. Activating the yeast: In a small bowl, crumble the fresh yeast with a fork and add the sugar. Mix well until you get a smooth paste. This will help the yeast activate faster.

3. Mixing the flour: In a large bowl, place the sifted flour and add the salt. Make a well in the center of the flour and pour in the yeast mixture. Add about 50 ml of lukewarm water and cover with a little flour. Let it sit for 10-15 minutes until bubbles form on the surface.

4. Forming the dough: Add the melted and cooled butter to the yeast mixture, then gradually start adding the lukewarm water, mixing with a spoon or your hands until the dough begins to form.

5. Kneading: Wet your hands with oil and transfer the dough to a clean surface. Knead the dough for about 10 minutes. The dough should become elastic and not stick to your hands. If necessary, you can add 1-2 tablespoons of flour, but be careful not to overdo it to avoid making the dough too tough.

6. Rising: Place the dough in a bowl greased with oil, cover it with a kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about an hour, or until it doubles in size.

7. Forming the "flower": After the dough has risen, transfer it to a floured work surface. Divide it into two equal parts. Roll each piece with a rolling pin into round shapes, then tightly roll them up.

8. Cutting and shaping: Cut the rolls into pieces the size of a walnut and form balls. In a round baking tray lined with flour, place one ball in the center and the others around it to form a flower.

9. Second rising: Cover the tray with a towel and let it rise for 30 minutes, during which you can preheat the oven to 180 degrees Celsius.

10. Baking: When the dough has risen, place the tray in the oven and bake for 30 minutes, or until the bread turns golden. You can check if it’s baked using a simple test: poke it with a toothpick, and if it comes out clean, the bread is ready.

11. Cooling and serving: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool on a rack. Don’t forget to enjoy its delicious aroma and serve it with butter, cheese, or jam.

Practical tips

- Pay attention to the water temperature: Water that is too hot can kill the yeast. Make sure it is warm but not hot.
- Variations: You can add herbs to the dough or grated cheese for a more intense flavor. You can also make a whole wheat version using whole wheat flour.
- Serving: This "flower" bread is perfect to serve with soups, salads, or as an appetizer alongside a refreshing drink or a light wine.

Nutritional benefits

Homemade bread is much healthier than store-bought bread as it contains no additives or preservatives. Whole wheat flour is rich in fiber, which aids digestion, and butter adds a boost of fat-soluble vitamins.

Frequently asked questions

- Can I use dry yeast instead of fresh yeast? Yes, 10 g of dry yeast is equivalent to 25 g of fresh yeast. Make sure to activate it according to the instructions on the package.
- How can I check if the bread is baked? Poke the bread with a toothpick; if it comes out clean, the bread is ready. If it’s sticky, let it bake a little longer.

Conclusion

Making this "flower" bread is not only a pleasant activity but also an excellent way to bring a touch of warmth into your home. Whether you serve it at a family meal or give it as a gift, each piece is filled with love and memories. So, embark on this adventure and let the aroma and taste of this homemade bread carry you away! Enjoy your meal!

 Ingredients: 1 kg flour, 25 g fresh yeast or 10 g dry yeast, 1 teaspoon salt, 1 teaspoon sugar, 600-650 ml lukewarm water, a cube the size of a walnut of butter. We also need oil to grease our hands and the bowl, flour to dust the working surface.

 Tags:  homemade flower bread dough