Bread Baking 101

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EASY TIPS FOR BETTER BREAD BAKING

Baking is a most delicious science, especially when baking bread. Follow these helpful hints to ensure your creations bake up perfectly every time.

MEASURING MATTERS

Using a knife, stir the flour around to fluff it up. Use a measuring cup to scoop the flour, then level off the cup using the flat edge of a knife.

TEST YOUR YEAST

Combine warm water, yeast, and sugar, and wait 5 minutes until frothy and bubbling. If the mixture doesn’t froth or bubble, chances are your yeast has expired and you will need to try a new package. Use a fresh package of yeast for the best results. (Tip: 1 (0.25-ounce) package yeast = 21⁄4 teaspoons yeast)

KNEAD TO KNOW

Once the dough comes together, you will need to knead it until it’s smooth and elastic. This develops the gluten, which gives the bread good structure and a nice chewy texture.

By hand: 10 minutes

With a stand mixer: 7 minutes

CRUST PERFECTION

Using an egg wash before baking bread gives the crust a glossy finish. To make an egg wash, beat 1 large egg with 1 tablespoon water until frothy. If you want to sprinkle seeds, wheat, or oats over the loaf before baking, brush the loaf with egg wash first to make sure the toppings adhere. Finally, misting or brushing cold water over the loaf before baking can help crisp up the crust.

4 COMMENTS

    • Hi Jeff! That recipe is correct. The rosemary gives the bread amazing flavor! It’s one of my personal favorite recipes—my family adores it.

  1. I am looking at the recipe in the taste of the south fall baking magazine. The directions are not the same as they are on this page. The ingredients are correct but the directions are not. There is no olive oil or rosemary for this recipe, and no mention of sea salt and pepper for garnish. I think someone had mixed up 2 different bread recipes.

    • Hi Stephanie! I think the recipe you’re looking at is for our Rosemary Focaccia. This is a list post that contains multiple bread recipes all using the same master dough. If you click the third page, you’ll find the Pumpkin Twist recipe. Hope this helps!

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