Homemade Cottage Loaf - Part 2: Baking Recipe Video
Follow Woman's Weekly food editor, Sue McMahon, as she shows us how to create this tasty round loaf in part two of our video recipe.
Summary
Difficulty LevelEasyHealth IndexAverage
Ingredients
500g (1lb) strong, plain white flour
1 tsp salt
60g (2oz) butter, cubed
7g sachet fast-action dried yeast
Beaten egg, for glaze
Baking sheet, buttered
Directions
1. Tip the flour and salt into a bowl and add the butter. Rub the butter until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Stir in the dried yeast.
2. Pour in 300ml (½ pint) warm water and mix into the flour to form a dough. Knead the dough for about 10 mins, either in an electric machine or by hand, or until the dough is smooth and elastic.
3. Break off about a third of the dough. Shape the larger piece into a ball and place it on a baking sheet. Shape the smaller piece into a ball. Brush a little water on the centre of the larger ball and then place the smaller ball on top. Use a floured finger to press all the way down through the centre of the loaf, as far as possible, so it almost touches the baking sheet. Use the tip of a knife to score lines about 5mm (¼in) deep through the dough, marking it into 12 wedges.
4. Cover the loaf with a clean tea towel or a piece of oiled cling film and leave it to prove in a warm place for 45-60 mins, or until it's doubled in size.
5. Set the oven to Gas Mark 7 or 220°C.
6. Remove the tea towel or cling film from the loaf and brush with the egg glaze. Bake the loaf in the centre of the oven for 30-40 minutes, until it's an even, golden colour, and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on its base.
7. Slide the loaf on to a wire rack to cool.
For more information please visit: http://www.goodtoknow.co.uk/recipes
2. Pour in 300ml (½ pint) warm water and mix into the flour to form a dough. Knead the dough for about 10 mins, either in an electric machine or by hand, or until the dough is smooth and elastic.
3. Break off about a third of the dough. Shape the larger piece into a ball and place it on a baking sheet. Shape the smaller piece into a ball. Brush a little water on the centre of the larger ball and then place the smaller ball on top. Use a floured finger to press all the way down through the centre of the loaf, as far as possible, so it almost touches the baking sheet. Use the tip of a knife to score lines about 5mm (¼in) deep through the dough, marking it into 12 wedges.
4. Cover the loaf with a clean tea towel or a piece of oiled cling film and leave it to prove in a warm place for 45-60 mins, or until it's doubled in size.
5. Set the oven to Gas Mark 7 or 220°C.
6. Remove the tea towel or cling film from the loaf and brush with the egg glaze. Bake the loaf in the centre of the oven for 30-40 minutes, until it's an even, golden colour, and the loaf sounds hollow when tapped on its base.
7. Slide the loaf on to a wire rack to cool.
For more information please visit: http://www.goodtoknow.co.uk/recipes