To obtain a delicious bread, I invite you to carefully follow the steps of this simple yet flavorful recipe. Start by gathering all the necessary ingredients: flour, salt, sugar, butter, and yeast. Choose a large bowl, as the dough will rise considerably in volume. It is important to keep the salt away from the yeast, as the latter is activated in the presence of sugar and milk, and salt can inhibit it.
After adding the dry ingredients, move on to the milk, which you will gradually add while mixing with your hands. It is essential to incorporate all the ingredients so that the flour is fully absorbed. You will notice that the dough becomes soft and slightly sticky, which is perfect. If you feel that the dough is too wet, do not hesitate to add a little more flour or, conversely, if it seems too dry, a few drops of milk can work wonders.
Once the dough is made, place it on a floured work surface and start kneading it with firm movements for about 5 minutes. This process will develop the gluten, giving the bread an airy and elastic texture. When you are satisfied with the consistency of the dough, place it back in the bowl, cover it with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm, draft-free place until it doubles in volume. This is when the magic happens!
Once the dough has risen, it is time to shape it. Place it on a lightly floured work surface and, using your palms, shape it into a ball or an elongated form, depending on your preference. Prepare a large baking tray, which you will line with parchment paper or non-stick foil. Place the dough in the prepared tray, cover it again, and let it rise for another hour.
Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius. This is the ideal temperature to achieve a crispy crust and a soft crumb. Before placing the bread in the oven, sprinkle a little flour on top and make a few decorative cuts, which will help the dough expand during baking.
Bake the bread for 25-30 minutes, until it turns golden and releases a tempting aroma. When it is ready, take it out of the oven and let it cool on a rack. Here, the bread will continue to breathe and reveal all its flavors. Enjoy it warm, with butter or alongside fine cheese, and you will discover how satisfying the experience of baking bread at home can be!
After adding the dry ingredients, move on to the milk, which you will gradually add while mixing with your hands. It is essential to incorporate all the ingredients so that the flour is fully absorbed. You will notice that the dough becomes soft and slightly sticky, which is perfect. If you feel that the dough is too wet, do not hesitate to add a little more flour or, conversely, if it seems too dry, a few drops of milk can work wonders.
Once the dough is made, place it on a floured work surface and start kneading it with firm movements for about 5 minutes. This process will develop the gluten, giving the bread an airy and elastic texture. When you are satisfied with the consistency of the dough, place it back in the bowl, cover it with a clean towel, and let it rise in a warm, draft-free place until it doubles in volume. This is when the magic happens!
Once the dough has risen, it is time to shape it. Place it on a lightly floured work surface and, using your palms, shape it into a ball or an elongated form, depending on your preference. Prepare a large baking tray, which you will line with parchment paper or non-stick foil. Place the dough in the prepared tray, cover it again, and let it rise for another hour.
Meanwhile, preheat the oven to 200 degrees Celsius. This is the ideal temperature to achieve a crispy crust and a soft crumb. Before placing the bread in the oven, sprinkle a little flour on top and make a few decorative cuts, which will help the dough expand during baking.
Bake the bread for 25-30 minutes, until it turns golden and releases a tempting aroma. When it is ready, take it out of the oven and let it cool on a rack. Here, the bread will continue to breathe and reveal all its flavors. Enjoy it warm, with butter or alongside fine cheese, and you will discover how satisfying the experience of baking bread at home can be!
Ingredients
- 500 g all-purpose flour, sifted, plus extra flour for dusting the work surface - 9 g fine sea salt - 50 g powdered sugar (I used 40 g powdered sugar in the mixture - adjust the amount of sugar to your preference) - 75 g butter at room temperature (soft but not melted), cut into pieces - 8.4 g dry yeast - 295 ml milk at room temperature