Best Classic White Loaf Recipes

CLASSIC WHITE LOAF

Steps:

• Make the dough by tipping the flour, yeast and salt into a large bowl and making a well in the middle. Pour in most of the water and use your fingers or a wooden spoon to mix the flour and water together until combined to a slightly wet, pillowy, workable dough - add a splash more water if necessary. Tip the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for at least 10 mins until smooth and elastic. This can also be done in a tabletop mixer with a dough hook. Place the dough in a clean oiled bowl, cover with cling film and leave to rise until doubled in size.
• Heat oven to 220C/fan 200C/gas 7. Knock back the dough by tipping it back onto a floured surface and pushing the air out. Mould the dough into a rugby ball shape that will fit a 900g loaf tin and place in the tin. Cover with a clean tea towel and leave to prove for 30 mins. Dust the top of the loaf with a little more flour and slash the top with a sharp knife if you want. Bake the bread for 15 mins, then reduce the heat to 190C/fan 170C/gas 5 and continue to bake for 30 mins until the loaf sounds hollow when removed from the tin and tapped on the base. Leave the bread on a wire rack to cool completely. The loaf will stay fresh in an airtight container for 3 days or can be frozen for 1 month.

CLASSIC WHITE BREAD LOAF

Steps:

• Add the flour, butter, yeast and salt to a large mixing bowl. Keep the salt separate from the yeast.
• Make a well in the centre and add half (225ml) of the water. Use either your fingers to mix in the flour or use a mixer to do it for you.
• Keep mixing and adding water until the dough comes together and leaves the sides of the bowl clean.
• Knead the dough for ten minutes until it is smooth and elastic.
• Place the dough into an oiled bowl to stop it from sticking. Clingfilm the top and allow to prove at room temperature (20c is ideal).
• After about an hour, the dough will have doubled in size and will be stretchy and elastic when pulled. Preheat the oven at 190c.
• Take the dough out and knead again for 3 to 4 minutes. This is referred to as 'knocking back'. Add your flavouring at this stage if you wish or simply sprinkle flour over the top after the second prove.
• Allow the bread to prove again for about 20 minutes before cooking until the top is golden and the bread sounds hollow when you tape the base.
• Leave the bread to stand for five minutes before serving.

CLASSIC WHITE LOAF

Steps:

• Tip the flour, yeast and 1 tsp salt into a large bowl and make a well in the middle. Pour in just under 350ml lukewarm water and use your fingers or a wooden spoon to mix the flour mixture and water together - you should have a slightly wet, pillowy, workable dough, so add a splash more water if needed.
• Tip the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead for at least 10 mins, or until smooth and elastic. Or, do this in a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook for 3-5 mins. Put the dough in a clean oiled bowl, cover and leave to prove until doubled in size, about 1-2 hrs.
• Heat the oven to 220C/200C fan/gas 7. Knock back the dough by tipping it back onto the floured surface and pushing the air out with the palms of your hands. Form the dough into a ball, transfer to a baking sheet, cover with a clean tea towel and leave to prove again for 40-45 mins, or until roughly doubled in size again.
• Dust the top of the loaf with a little flour and slash a cross into the top with a sharp knife, if you like. Bake for 15 mins, then reduce the heat to 190C/170C fan/gas 5 and bake for 30 mins more until the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on the underside. Transfer to a wire rack and leave to cool completely. Will keep in an airtight container for up to three days or frozen for a month.