FAILPROOF White Sandwich Bread (almost No-knead)
Intro: FAILPROOF White Sandwich Bread (almost No-knead)
The core ingredient of any good sandwich is GOOD BREAD. and there's nothing better than homemade bread!
This recipe teaches a simple and fail-proof method of making deliciously simple White Sandwich Bread at home using basic ingredients.
And, it's almost a no-knead recipe (almost).
STEP 1: Blooming the Yeast
Blooming/ Activating/ Proofing the yeast is a step to ensure that the yeast is active and functional.
To do this -
- Heat your milk and water till it's tepid warm. Not hot, just slightly warm.
- To this add the sugar, salt and yeast. Mix thoroughly and keep aside for 10 minutes.
Once it becomes bubbly, it means it's proofed and activated!
(If you have a fresh packet of yeast which is well within it's expiry period, you can skip this step completely and directly mix everything together in the next step)
STEP 2: Bulk Mixing and Autolyse
In a big mixing vessel, combine the activated yeast liquid, flour and butter and mix thoroughly with the handle of a wooden spoon till it becomes a sticky and shaggy mess. Cover and leave it aside for an hour.
This process is called AUTOLYSING.
During autolysing, the flour gets hydrated, activating enzymes that stimulate the proteins to start the gluten development. It makes the dough easier to work with and is what saves you from kneading the dough too much.
If you live in an area with a warm climate like I do, the dough will start fermenting and rise greatly in the autolyse stage as well.
STEP 3: Mini-knead and 1st Proofing
After about an hour, the dough will be super soft. Remove from the bowl and gently knead the dough for just 5 minutes.
WAIT for 15 minutes.
Let the dough take a breath.
Knead again for 5 minutes.
This mini knead helps gluten formation and even fermentation of the dough. The dough should be smooth by now and will no longer stick to your hands and fingers.
Put the dough in an oiled bowl, cover and keep aside for 30 mins to 1 hour (till the dough basically doubles in size) in a warm corner of the kitchen or inside the oven with only the light-bulb on. The yeast activates and the fermentation starts in our bread, and the carbon dioxide produced will lead to the dramatic increase in the size of the dough.
STEP 4: Shaping the Loaf and 2nd Proofing
Grease your bread loaf pan with butter on all sides.
After your dough has doubled in size, remove it and falcon punch it. Seriously, punch it till you deflate the dough completely. Remove all your anger on it, it is after all the most therapeutic step of the whole process.
Now, shape the dough with your fingers into a rectangle, flatten the dough to the width of your bread loaf pan. Tightly start rolling the dough from one end till you get a log roll.
Pinch the seams shut and place it seam side down in your (greased) bread loaf pan and gently press down onto the dough to evenly distribute it in the pan. Cover and let it proof again till doubled in size (45 minutes).
To know if the dough is proofed, touch the side of the dough lightly with your fingertip. If the indentation remains, the loaf is ready for the oven.
STEP 5: BAKING and Waiting
After the 2nd proofing, gently transfer the loaf pan containing the dough to an oven (preheated to 200°C/ 390°F for 20 minutes) and bake for 30 - 45 minutes till it gets a beautiful golden colour on top. To Check if the loaf is baked, tap the top of the loaf on the crust. A hollow sound means it's ready to be taken out!
Remove and brush the top with butter.
NOW LET THE LOAF COOL FOR 30 MINUTES.
(Don't cut the bread immediately after taking it out of the oven. Letting it cool is essential. Cutting it early will release all the moisture that has built up in the loaf while baking, and this will make it chewy and gummy on the inside and make the bread go dry faster).
STEP 6: Make Those Sandwiches!
After waiting for an eternity (30 minutes), Cut the bread and enjoy the fruits of your labour!
If you liked this simple guide on baking delicious sandwich bread at home, please do vote for it in the 'Sandwich Challenge'. Thank you!
37 Comments
tlebsack 3 years ago
Gaurieie 3 years ago
For preventing overhangs, I guess it'll be better to use lesser quantity of dough.
I've even heard of bread tins that are covered on all four sides (with one side being a sliding wall).
Let me know of the results of how your bread turns out!
lbarrios0123 2 years ago
lbarrios0123 2 years ago
I loved the recipe, I substituted honey for the sugar and it turned out spectacular.
wmdeutermann 3 years ago
Far too sweet for my family's taste though. Is the sugar necessary, or is it there as an "acellerant" for the yeast?
I would like to try it without the sugar. Would that worl?
aysesevil 3 years ago
wenjeanroy 3 years ago
Gaurieie 3 years ago
if you found it too sweet, you can always reduce the sugar the next time you bake it.
Or even substitute sugar for honey!
wmdeutermann 3 years ago
Also, when proofing the yeast I don't add salt until just before I add the flour and other ingredients. Salt inhibits the yeast.
BruceH103 3 years ago
Gaurieie 3 years ago
This compliment means a lot coming form someone with as much experience as you!
urvikseth 3 years ago
2 people finished the bread in 17hrs😁
Gaurieie 3 years ago
And yes I agree that fresh home-baked bread is irresistible!
Crayz4life 3 years ago
smartrem 3 years ago
Gaurieie 3 years ago
Yes, a little extra water is never an issue.
And as they say, try try try till you succeed!
Gaurieie 3 years ago
It may seem wet at first, but after the first proofing it should be alright. If not, you can always knead a little more.
But never add more flour, it changes the proportions. Just kneading the dough more should always correct it.
And yes, if you're using salted butter, then add less external salt.
If using unsalted butter, then add the whole 9 g of salt.
AngelaR121 3 years ago
Gaurieie 3 years ago
I haven't tried it with anything other than all purpose flour.
But you can try it by substituting one fourth of the AP flour with the flour of your choice.
AussieAlf 3 years ago
All the best in the comp.
Cheers