Named Bread

In a large diameter bowl, the process of preparing the dough begins by adding all the ingredients except for the egg and water. It is essential to keep the salt away from the yeast, as salt has the ability to inactivate the yeast, which can affect the dough's rise. After adding all the dry ingredients, you start to gradually add the water, mixing with your hands until you obtain a homogeneous dough mass, and all the flour in the bowl is incorporated.

Once the dough is well mixed, place it on a lightly floured work surface and begin kneading it by hand for about 6 minutes. It is important to ensure that the dough becomes elastic and smooth, a sign that the gluten has been properly activated. Once you finish kneading, cover the dough with a kitchen towel and let it rise for an hour in a warm, draft-free place to allow the yeast to act.

After the rising period, divide the dough into portions corresponding to the number of letters you want to shape. For example, if you plan to cut out ten letters, take a small piece of the total dough and shape the desired letters. You can do this manually or by rolling out the dough with your palms on the work surface, taking care to lightly flour the surface to prevent sticking. A practical method is to use cookie cutters to cut out the letters, which will save you time and effort.

Meanwhile, keep the rest of the dough covered with a bowl to prevent it from drying out. From this part, you can later shape six medium-sized rolls. Place a large tray lined with baking paper and start arranging the cut-out letters, being careful not to deform them. If you use a dough scraper, lifting the letters off the work surface will be much easier.

After arranging the letters on the tray, let them rise again for an hour, covered with a kitchen towel, ensuring they are in a warm place. During this time, you can preheat the oven to 220 degrees Celsius. When the dough has risen sufficiently, take a beaten egg and carefully brush the surface of the dough. You can also sprinkle ground flaxseed on the rolls for a special look and taste.

Once you have finished preparing the dough, bake the letters for about 15 minutes and the rolls for 20-25 minutes until they achieve a beautiful golden color. It is recommended to bake the dough in two stages so that each part is baked evenly. Once the bread is baked, let it cool on a rack, where it can maintain its crispy texture. This process will not only give you a delicious result but will also bring you the satisfaction of creating something special in your own kitchen.