Classic White Crusty Bread

Prep: 15 min, plus 1 hour 45 minutes proving time

Cook: 30 Minutes

Serves: 8

Difficulty:

Cuisine:

Saved:

Australian

831

Recipe by: KitchenAid

For thousands of years bread has been a major part of our daily lives & even used as currency. Discover the joy of bread making today as you easily prepare a piece of history, right at home. This recipe uses the KitchenAid Platinum Stand Mixer KSM156.

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Classic White Crusty Bread

Ingredients:

500g plain flour

2 1/2 tablespoons milk powder

1 tablespoons castor sugar

7g dried yeast (about 2 teaspoons)

1 teaspoon salt

2 teaspoons bread improver

250 to 300ml (1 to 1 1/4 cups) just warm water

60ml (1/4cup) light olive oil or vegetable oil

Little extra flour, for dusting

Method:

For best results use the KitchenAid Platinum Stand Mixer KSM156
Place flour, milk powder, sugar, yeast, salt and bread improver into mixing bowl. Attach flat beater and mix on speed 2 until well combined
Change to dough hook. With mixer going, slowly add 250ml water and olive oil to the outside of the bowl. If mixture looks dry, add extra water until dough looks just moist. Knead for 5 to 6 minutes (staying on speed 2) until dough is soft and elastic
Place dough into an oiled bowl, cover with plastic wrap or a damp tea towel and leave dough to rise and more than double in size. This takes about 1 hour in a draught free, warm place
Preheat oven to 210°C/190°C (fan forced). Lightly grease a medium sized loaf tin (approx 11 x 21 x 7cm).
Punch dough down, return to mixer and knead for a further 3 minutes. Remove dough and spread evenly into pan. Cover with damp tea towel and place in a warm place for 45 minutes or until it has risen to top of pan
Cut slashes into bread with a sharp knife and dust with extra flour. Bake for 30 minutes, or until golden brown and hollow sounding when lightly tapped. Turn bread out onto a cooling rack and allow to cool

Tips & Hints:

The amount of water needed varies on brand of flour, time of year etc. Do not add too much water or dough will be too soft and sticky. Very lightly oil mixing bowl before kneading. This will prevent dough from sticking and assist in kneadingUse a leading brand/good quality plain flourBread improver is available from all supermarkets in the baking or health food sections. It is essential to the success of a bread recipe using normal everyday plain flour. If bread flour is available then bread improver is not necessary. Milk powder adds a good colour and improves textureAlways use dried yeast within use by date and keep in a sealed container in a dark place. Available at the supermarket in 7g sachets or larger tubs.