White Crusty Bread

As a couple we go through so much bread! I decided to take the plunge and bake some. I was so proud of myself and the best thing is that it really wasn't that hard!

Makes 1 Medium loaf

1-2 hours

Ingredients:

1 Egg

1 Egg Yolk

Hot Water (to the touch)

500g White Bread Flour

1&1/2 tsp Salt

2tsp Sugar

1 Sachet of Easy-Bake Yeast

2 tbsp Butter

PUT YOUR OVEN ON LOW!

In a jug, beat the Egg and Egg Yolk lightly, then add the hot water to make 300ml, give it a stir.

In a large bowl add the flour, salt, sugar and yeast. Add the butter (diced) and rub till breadcrumbs. Make a well in the canter and slowly add the egg mixture, kneading the dough as you go. Once added knead till smooth.

On a floured surface knead the dough adding flour if too sticky, do this for roughly 10 minutes. Oil a loaf tin, add the dough and cover with cling film. Place this in your oven, which should now be nice and warm if you turned it on earlier. Leave for 30-60 mins, or till it has doubled in size.

Removed the cling film and knead the bread again, make sure it will spread evenly into your loaf tin again by stretching if necessary. Cover it again with clingfilm and back into your warm oven for 30 mins. 

It should now have risen above your tin, this is where you turn the heat to 220'C/425'C/Gas Mark 7. Bake for 30 minutes, or till golden brown.

Test that the loaf is cooked my tapping the bottom- it should sound hollow.

Allow to cool for a few minutes then transfer to a cooling rack.