/getattachment/af2f7944-a750-4b74-9811-a3b8ce20e9f8/Homemade-Artisan-Bread.aspx

Homemade Artisan Bread Recipe

Crusty, golden bread made with love and attention to detail, a staple for any meal.

Difficulty

Easy

Prep Time

20

Cooking Time

90

Serves

2 loaves

Recipe Ingredients

  • 1 kg SPAR cake flour
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons sugar
  • 1 packet (10 g) instant yeast
  • 125 g SPAR butter or margarine
  • 500 ml lukewarm mixture of water and milk
  • 2 large eggs

Recipe Method

  1. In a large mixing bowl, blend together flour, salt, sugar, and yeast.
  2. Heat the water/milk and butter until warm to the touch.
  3. Beat the eggs and add them to the warm milk mixture, then pour this over the dry ingredients. Start mixing with a wooden spoon and then use your hands to knead into a smooth dough.
  4. Cover the dough with plastic wrap and let it rise in a warm place until it doubles in size.
  5. Punch down the dough to redistribute the air bubbles for a better texture.
  6. Divide the dough in half to make two different types of bread - a savoury loaf and a sweet tea bread.

Hints & Tips

For a Savory Cheese and Onion Plait:

  1. Knead 100 g grated SPAR cheddar cheese, 1 small finely chopped onion, and a good amount of ground black pepper into half of the dough.
  2. Split the dough into three parts, roll into long strips and braid them. Place on a greased baking tray, cover and let rise again.
  3. Preheat the oven to 200°C. Brush the loaf with milk and bake for 30 minutes.

Variations:

  1. Try adding cooked bacon, ham and chives, roasted pepper and feta, or chili and cheese.

For a Rocky-Road Tea Loaf:

  1. Incorporate into the remaining dough: 10 chopped marshmallows, 10 chopped SPAR glace cherries, 80 ml chocolate chips, and 80 ml seedless raisins.
  2. Shape ¾ of the dough into a bun, make a cavity in the center, and place the remaining ¼ dough shaped like a mushroom cap into the cavity.
  3. Let it rise on a greased baking tray.
  4. Preheat oven to 200°C. Brush with milk and bake for 30 minutes.
  5. Once cool, drizzle with icing made from 250 ml sifted SPAR icing sugar mixed with approximately 25 ml warm water.

Baker's Tips:

  • The best place for dough to rise is in a warm sunny spot. Avoid using a warmer drawer, especially for the chocolate and cheese variations.
  • A bread loaf is perfectly baked when it sounds hollow if tapped underneath.
  • For easy cutting of marshmallows, dip scissors in hot water occasionally.

 

Buy all the ingredients for this Homemade Artisan Bread on SPAR2U now.