Light & Soft Sandwich Bread

TYPE : Basic
Bread
YIELD : 1 loaf / 16 small rolls
CALORIES : 150 kcal
PREP TIME : 15 minutes
COOK TIME : 35 minutes
TOTAL TIME : 3 hours 50 minutes

INGREDIENTS :

  • 4 cups (10 dl) all-purpose or whole wheat flour (reserve 1 cup (2.5 dl) for kneading)
  • 1 – 2 tsp instant yeast, or 25 g fresh yeast
  • 1 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 – 4 tbsp sugar
  • 1 1/2 cups (3.5 dl) lukewarm milk or water (half pineapple juice for Hawaiian rolls)
  • 1 egg
  • 2 tbsp soft butter

INSTRUCTIONS :

  • Mix everything until well combined, saving the butter/oil for last. If using fresh yeast, dissolve it in some of the liquid first.
  • Knead for at least 10 minutes, adding the remaining flour as needed. The dough should feel soft and moist – not sticky.
  • Place in a greased bowl, cover with plastic and leave to rise until double the size ( 1 – 2 hours). Knock down or fold the dough halfway through.
  • Flatten the dough to remove all larger air bubbles then roll it up and shape into a loaf, or divide it into pieces and roll them into balls. If the dough feels tacky, dust your work surface and hands with a little flour. Place in greased baking pans or on lined baking sheets.
  • Keep the dough moist by covering it with plastic and prove until double the size (about 1 hour). Poke the dough with a finger – if it barely bounces back, the proving is complete.
  • Meanwhile, set the oven to 450°F (225°C) and add a baking stone if available.
  • Score the tops (optional), brush with milk or melted butter (use an egg wash if sprinkling with seeds to make them stick) and transfer to the oven. To create steam, spray or toss water into the oven or place a pan with hot water on the bottom.
  • After 5 minutes, lower the temperature to 350°F (175°C) for loaves or 400°F (200°C) for rolls. Continue baking until golden brown, which takes about 10-15 min for rolls and up to 30 – 40 min for loaves. Tap the bottom – if it sounds hollow the bread is done (the inner temperature should be about 195°F (90°C)).
  • Brush with melted butter (optional) and cool on a rack under a kitchen towel.

NOTES :

If you place round or sausage shaped balls of dough into a pan so that they grow together when proved, you get pull apart rolls with very soft sides. Just remember to bake them for longer and at lower temperature, similar to making loaves. Works well for supersoft dinner rolls and hot dog buns.

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