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Basic white bread

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Basic white bread from Overmydeadbody

Serves	lots
Prep time	1-2 hours
Cook time	30-40 mins

Mumsnetter ratings

based on (5) reviews
Ease of finding ingredients	10
Ease of cooking	10
Success with kids	10
Success with adults	10
Overall Mark	10

Ingredients

700g (1lb 8oz) strong white bread flour
1 level tsp yeast (I use the instant stuff)
425ml (15 fl oz) warm water (if you can't hold your finger in it for a count of ten it is too hot)
1 tsp sugar

Optional:
1 tsp salt

Handy Hint

You can add ingreidnets to this basic recipe, like seeds, grains, and flavourings. I like to make it with sunflower seeds and honey. You can also add wholemeal flour and adjust the water according to how it feels. Olives and chunks of feta cheese make it into a nice savoury bread. I use this recipe for pizza bases all the time too.

Method

Sift (or just bung) the flour, yeast sugar and salt into a big bowl.

Make a well in the centre and add the water.

Gently start mixing the water with the flour. I use my hands but you can start off with a wooden spoon if you prefer. You may need to add a little more water or flour in the final stages depending on how glutinous the flour it. You are aiming to get a nice clean ball of dough that has left the bowl clean and doesn't stick to your hands.

Once you have a ball of dough, tip out onto a clean surface and knead for about three minutes or for as long as you like. If I'm making this for pizza bases I don't bother kneading it.

If you're rushed for time, divide the dough in half, shape each into an oblong and place in two 1lb loaf tins, or make one large loaf or shape into your own loaf and place on baking tray.

Leave to rise and double in size in a warm place for about an hour.

If you have more time, place dough in a big bowl, cover with cling-film or a damp tea towel and leave to rise for 1-2 hours, then knock back and knead again, before shaping and placing in loaf tins and letting rise again for about an hour (faffy but worth it if you have the time).

Bake the loaves in a preheated oven at 230°C for 30-40 minutes depending on oven and size of loaf.

Remove from tin, and tap gently on the underside of the loaf. If it sounds hollow it is cooked. Place back in the oven out of the tip for another ten minutes to crisp up the crust.

Mumsnetter Reviews

From: grinningbee on Thu 02-Jun-11 12:44:11 Overall rating: 10.0

I had never made bread before, and this is fab! Hasn't let me down yet and tastes really nice. Funnily enough, it doesn't last long...

From: MmeLindor on Mon 16-May-11 22:08:54 Overall rating: 10.0

I use this recipe for making pizza all the time, it is really fantastic. There is enough for a family sized pizza and a couple of small baguettes or a small loaf. Great recipe.

From: AngryWasp on Sat 10-Apr-10 19:00:56 Overall rating: 10.0

I can't cook and yet it would seem I can make bread - yay! (and it would seem any type of flour works too, not knowing what a good alternative to good strong bread flour is and therefore trying anything I have in the cupboard)

From: RubySlippers on Fri 07-Nov-08 15:57:32 Overall rating: 10.0

I have used this recipe a couple of times now and it is so simple bread is lovely and tastes great

From: Overmydeadbody on Wed 03-Sep-08 12:20:44 Overall rating: 10.0

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