Single Loaf Basic Bread Recipes

SINGLE LOAF BASIC BREAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, combine dry ingredients, Mix in water.
• Place bowl inside a plastic bag. Allow it to rest for 12 hours at room temperature until very bubbly. Stir down with a spatula and cover until dough rises again (about 1-4 hours, note that time will vary depending unpon room temperature, activeness of yeast, quality of flour and other factors).
• Ready a sheet of parchment paper on a flat surface nearby. Uncover dough, sprinkle dough generously with flour, and place on a floured counter. Flatten dough with your hands until it's about1/2-inch thick. Be sure not to tear a hole in the dough. Fold the sides, top and bottom into the middle. Pinch seams together.
• Flip dough so that it's seam side down onto the sheet of parchment paper, form into a ball. Cover loosely with plastic wrap.
• When the dough has doubled in size (Again, about 1-4 houra) set the oven to 450F, and place a covered ovenproof dish or Dutch Oven inside. ( The covered dish must be large enough to allow the bread to rise as it bakes).
• When the oven reaches temperature, Remove the dish,with the parchment still under it, into the dish. Replace the lid and bake for 20 minutes. Remove lid and bake for another 20 minutes. (Remove the parchment paper at this time if you want to re-use it, otherwise it will scorch). Bread is done when the top crust is a deep brown.

BASIC HOMEMADE BREAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, dissolve yeast and 1/2 teaspoon sugar in warm water; let stand until bubbles form on surface. Whisk together remaining 3 tablespoons sugar, salt and 3 cups flour. Stir oil into yeast mixture; pour into flour mixture and beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, to form a soft dough. , Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 8-10 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, 1-1/2 to 2 hours., Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide dough in half. Shape each into a loaf. Place in 2 greased 9x5-in. loaf pans. Cover and let rise until doubled, 1 to 1-1/2 hours., Bake at 375° until golden brown and bread sounds hollow when tapped or has reached an internal temperature of 200°, 30-35 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool.

ONE LOAF OF BREAD

Steps:

• Add yeast to lukewarm water and dissolve.
• Add remaining ingredients.
• Turn out on lightly floured board and knead until smooth and elastic.
• Round up and place in a greased bowl.
• Grease surface of dough.
• Cover and let rise until double in bulk.
• Punch down dough and turn out on floured board.
• Round up dough and let rest 10 minutes.
• Mold dough into a loaf.
• Let rise in a greased pan until double in bulk.
• Bake in 425°F oven about 40 minutes.
• Turn out of pan and brush top with melted butter.
• Cool on a rack.

ONE LOAF WHITE BREAD

Steps:

• Mix the butter, sugar, and salt into the warm water.
• Stir in 1 tablespoon flour and the yeast (Can use 1 Tablespoon yeast in place of the packet).
• Wait 5 minutes; if yeast does not bubble buy new yeast.
• Put flour in a large bowl; stir in yeast mix.
• Stir thoroughly; turn onto a floured board and knead.
• Knead in as much of the flour as possible to make a satiny dough; if dough is sticky add more flour a tablespoon at a time.
• Put dough in a greased bowl and turn to coat.
• Cover with a clean damp towel and let rise til double.
• Punch down; shape into loaf and put in greased loaf pan.
• Let rise.
• Bake at 375 for 50 minutes or until bottom sounds hollow when thumped.
• Can also be shaped into 12 dinner rolls or 8 hamburger buns.
• Bake for less time if using these shapes.