How to make soft homemade sandwich bread? The simple method for bakery-quality results
Sandwich bread is one of those indispensable breads we often have in the kitchen: for morning sandwiches, croque-monsieur sandwiches or sandwiches. Yet few people think of making it themselves. And that's a shame, because homemade sandwich bread is softer, tastier and easier to make.
With just a few basic ingredients and a little patience for the rising process, you can obtain a golden, tender and perfectly aerated loaf. Here's how to make a soft, even loaf of homemade bread!
Ingredients for homemade sandwich bread
To prepare a loaf of bread (about 12 portions), you will need :
- 2.3 cups flour
- 1 tbsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 0.35 oz fresh yeast
- 1/2 cup milk
- 1/3 cup water
- 0.7 oz butter
- 1 egg
Cake flour is ideal for obtaining a very soft, light crumb, perfect for this type of bread.
Step 1: prepare the dough
Pour the flour, sugar and salt into the bowl of a food processor.
Form a small well in the center, then add the crumbled fresh yeast. It's important to ensure that the yeast doesn't touch the salt directly, as this could prevent fermentation.
Then add the water and milk.
Knead at medium speed for a few minutes until you obtain a homogeneous dough.
Step 2: Incorporate the butter
When the dough begins to form, add the butter, cut into small pieces.
Add it gradually while continuing to knead.
Kneading helps to develop the gluten network, giving the bread its soft, elastic texture.
A well-kneaded dough should be supple and slightly elastic.
Once the butter has been incorporated, leave the dough to rise for 1 hour at room temperature.
It should almost double in volume.
Step 3: Working the dough
After the first rise, place the dough on a lightly floured work surface.
Using your hands, roll out the dough into a rough rectangle.
Then fold the dough into thirds, like a letter, and turn it a quarter turn.
Repeat the operation, rolling out the dough again and folding it into thirds.
This folding produces a more even, airy crumb.
Press lightly, then roll the dough into a ball.
Step 4: The second lift
Place the dough in a buttered cake tin.
Beat the egg and brush lightly over the surface of the bread.
Be careful not to put too much on the edges to prevent the bread from sticking when unmolded.
Leave the dough to rise for 1 hour at room temperature.
The dough should swell and almost reach the top of the tin.
Step 5: Cooking
Preheat oven to 340°F/170°C.
Place the bread in the oven and bake for about 35 minutes.
The top should become nicely golden.
Slow baking ensures a soft, well-cooked crumb.
How do you know if the bread is properly baked?
To check doneness, remove the bread from the mould and tap the underside.
If it sounds hollow, it's perfectly cooked.
Then leave the bread to cool on a wire rack to prevent moisture from softening the crust.
For breakfast or snack time, indulge in a slice of sandwich bread :-) Multiply this pleasure with homemade goodness! A recipe easier to make than it seems ;-) Base for both sweet and savory recipes, you'll love your toasts, sandwiches, croque-monsieur,...
The perfect bread for breakfast and sandwiches
Once cooled, this homemade sandwich bread is easy to slice.
Perfect for :
- breakfast sandwiches
- croque-monsieur sandwiches
- sandwiches
- or even French toast
And best of all, it keeps well for several days in a tea towel or airtight tin.
With this simple, economical recipe, you'll get a soft, fragrant homemade sandwich loaf that's much better than store-bought.
Adèle Peyches
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