Who doesn’t love freshly baked bread? The aroma of warm bread wafting through the house is enough to make anyone’s mouth water. And with the Kate Humble bread recipe, you can make your own delicious bread at home. Whether you’re an experienced baker or a novice, this recipe is easy to follow and will yield fantastic results every time.
Ingredients
- 500g strong white bread flour
- 10g salt
- 7g sachet of yeast
- 300ml warm water
Instructions
- Mix the flour and salt together in a large mixing bowl.
- In a separate bowl, mix the yeast with the warm water and stir until the yeast is dissolved.
- Pour the yeast mixture into the flour bowl and mix together with a wooden spoon until it forms a sticky dough.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean tea towel and leave to rise in a warm place for 1 hour.
- Preheat your oven to 220°C/200°C fan/gas mark 7.
- Knock back the dough by punching it down and kneading it again for a couple of minutes.
- Shape the dough into a round or oblong shape and place it on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
- Cut a few slashes into the top of the bread with a sharp knife and dust with flour.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Leave to cool on a wire rack before slicing and serving.
Nutritional Information
Per serving:
- Calories: 150
- Protein: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 30g
- Fat: 1g
- Sodium: 400mg
Cooking Time
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 25-30 minutes
Total time: 1 hour and 40 minutes
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Wooden spoon
- Baking tray
- Parchment paper
- Clean tea towel
Serving Suggestions
This bread is perfect for sandwiches, toasting, or served as a side to soup or stew.
Variations
You can add different ingredients to the dough to create variations of this bread. Some ideas include:
- Garlic and herb bread: add chopped garlic and mixed herbs to the dough before kneading.
- Cheese and onion bread: add grated cheese and chopped spring onions to the dough before kneading.
- Wholemeal bread: replace half of the white flour with wholemeal flour and add extra water to the dough.
Substitutions
If you don’t have strong white bread flour, you can use all-purpose flour instead. However, the bread may not rise as well and the texture may be slightly different.
Storage
This bread can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. It can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
Tips
- Make sure the water is warm, not hot, or it may kill the yeast.
- Knead the dough thoroughly to activate the gluten and achieve the desired texture.
- Let the bread rise in a warm, draft-free place for the best results.
Notes
This recipe yields one large loaf. You can double the ingredients to make two loaves if you like.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I use instant yeast instead of sachet yeast?
Yes, you can use instant yeast instead of sachet yeast. Use 2 teaspoons of instant yeast instead of the sachet.
Can I use a bread machine to make this bread?
Yes, you can use a bread machine to make this bread. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions for adding ingredients and baking time.
If you’re looking for a healthier option, try this Kate Humble wholemeal bread recipe. It’s just as easy to make as the white bread recipe, but with the added benefits of wholemeal flour.
Ingredients
- 500g wholemeal bread flour
- 10g salt
- 7g sachet of yeast
- 350ml warm water
Instructions
- Mix the flour and salt together in a large mixing bowl.
- In a separate bowl, mix the yeast with the warm water and stir until the yeast is dissolved.
- Pour the yeast mixture into the flour bowl and mix together with a wooden spoon until it forms a sticky dough.
- Knead the dough on a floured surface for 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.
- Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover with a clean tea towel and leave to rise in a warm place for 1 hour.
- Preheat your oven to 220°C/200°C fan/gas mark 7.
- Knock back the dough by punching it down and kneading it again for a couple of minutes.
- Shape the dough into a round or oblong shape and place it on a baking tray lined with parchment paper.
- Cut a few slashes into the top of the bread with a sharp knife and dust with flour.
- Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until golden brown and the bread sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
- Leave to cool on a wire rack before slicing and serving.
Nutritional Information
Per serving:
- Calories: 140
- Protein: 6g
- Carbohydrates: 28g
- Fat: 1g
- Sodium: 400mg
Cooking Time
Preparation time: 15 minutes
Cooking time: 25-30 minutes
Total time: 1 hour and 40 minutes
Equipment
- Large mixing bowl
- Wooden spoon
- Baking tray
- Parchment paper
- Clean tea towel
Serving Suggestions
This wholemeal bread is perfect for sandwiches, toasting, or served as a side to soup or stew.
Variations
You can add different ingredients to the dough to create variations of this bread. Some ideas include:
- Mixed seed bread: add a handful of mixed seeds to the dough before kneading.
- Fruit and nut bread: add dried fruit and chopped nuts to the dough before kneading.
- Spiced bread: add cinnamon and nutmeg to the dough before kneading.
Substitutions
If you don’t have wholemeal bread flour, you can use half white bread flour and half wholemeal flour. However, the bread may not have the same texture and flavor.
Storage
This bread can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days. It can also be frozen for up to 3 months.
Tips
- Make sure the water is warm, not hot, or it may kill the yeast.
- Knead the dough thoroughly to activate the gluten and achieve the desired texture.
- Let the bread rise in a warm, draft-free place for the best results.
Notes
This recipe yields one large loaf