Toast (bread)

Homemade bread: A delicious and easy recipe

Preparation time: 20 minutes
Rising time: 1 hour 30 minutes
Baking time: 50 minutes
Total time: 2 hours 40 minutes
Number of servings: 2 loaves

The history of bread is a long and fascinating one with deep roots in human culture. From simple bread, made from ground cereal and water, to today's more sophisticated variations, this staple has evolved into countless shapes and flavors. Every loaf of bread we bake at home carries with it a story, and our recipe today promises to bring the flavor and warmth of home into every slice.

Ingredients needed

- 1 kg very good quality flour (preferably 650-type flour)
- 6 tablespoons powdered milk
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 25 g butter (melted and left at room temperature)
- 2 tablespoons sunflower or corn oil
- 6 teaspoons sugar
- 50 g fresh yeast
- Warm water for kneading (about 550-600 ml)
- About 50 ml milk (for greasing)

Step by step for perfect bread

1. Preparing the porridge
In a small bowl, mix the fresh yeast with 2 teaspoons of sugar (of the 6) and 100 g of flour (of the total amount). Add about 200 ml of lukewarm water. Stir well and leave the mash in a warm place, covered with a clean towel, for 15 minutes. This step is crucial to activate the yeast, which will make the bread rise.

2. Preparing the dough
In a large bowl, sift the remaining flour. Using your fingers, rub the flour with the melted butter (which has been allowed to cool) and the oil until smooth. This step will add a nice texture to your bread.

3. Combining the ingredients
Once the cornflour has risen, add it to the flour mixture. Next, add the remaining ingredients: the remaining 4 teaspoons of sugar, salt and powdered milk. Start mixing, gradually adding lukewarm water until you have a dough that is elastic but not sticky.

4. Kneading the dough
Knead the dough for 10-15 minutes until elastic and smooth. One trick I recommend is to gently tap the dough against the board while kneading; this helps to develop gluten, which is essential for good bread texture.

5. The first helping
After kneading, cover the dough with a blanket and place it in a warm, dark place for about 1 hour or until doubled in volume. It's a good idea to preheat your oven to 50°C for a few minutes, then turn it off and put the dough in; the gentle heat helps fermentation.

6. Shaping the bread
Once the dough has risen, knead it a little for about 2 minutes, then divide it into two equal parts. Shape each part into loaves and place them in lightly oiled loaf pans. Lightly score the top with a very sharp knife to allow steam to escape during baking.

7. Second rising
Let the loaves rise in the pans for 30 minutes. During this time, you can prepare the oven: turn it on at least 30 minutes before baking, at 200°C (high heat).

8. Baking
Before putting the loaves in the oven, brush them with the milk (50 ml) to obtain a golden, crispy crust. Bake for about 50 minutes, until golden brown and when lightly tapped on the bottom, they sound hollow.

9. Cooling and serving
After baking, remove the loaves from the oven and cool on a wire rack. This cooling is essential so they don't have a wet texture inside.

Cook's tip
If you want to add a personal touch, you can incorporate dried aromatic herbs such as rosemary or oregano into the dough. These will give your bread an unmistakable taste, perfect for serving with olive oil and balsamic vinegar.

Nutritional benefits
This homemade bread is rich in carbohydrates, giving you the energy you need for the whole day. Quality flour provides better fiber content and the addition of milk powder improves protein intake.

FAQs

1. Can I use dry yeast?
Yes, you can use dry yeast, but the quantity should be reduced to about 15 g.

2. What can I do if the dough doesn't rise?
Make sure the yeast is fresh and that you have provided sufficient heat. If it is too cold, the dough will not rise properly.

3. How can I store the bread?
Fresh bread is best kept in an airtight container, but you can freeze it to keep it for longer.

4. What can I serve this bread with?
This bread is perfect with soups, salads or as a sandwich base. Try it with almond butter and jam for a delicious breakfast.

Sweet version
A delicious variation would be to turn this recipe into a sweet bread by adding raisins or nuts to the dough. This is perfect for breakfast or as a snack.

Now that you have all the information you need, get ready to enjoy the flavor and taste of homemade bread, baked with love and passion! Baking is not only an art but also a way to express your creativity, so feel free to experiment!

 Ingredients: -1 kg of flour, very good quality-6 tablespoons of powdered milk-2 teaspoons of salt-25 g of butter-2 tablespoons of sunflower or corn oil-6 teaspoons of sugar-50 g of fresh yeast-warm water for kneading (about 550-600 ml)-about 50 ml of milk (liquid)