Most of us have had a stab at baking our own bread from scratch at some point in our lives.
With so many options to create from our dough, most of us opt for a simple white loaf on our first attempt – but even that is no plain-sailing. Thankfully, a baking expert is on hand to provide a step-by-step guide on the “easiest way” to make your own bread – and you’ll only need five common household ingredients.
Taking to TikTok, via the Lets Eat UK blof (@lets_eat_uk), the baker describes his end product as “amazing” and something that will only “take 10 minutes of your time”. He begins by adding 450g (3 cups) of bread flower to a mixing bowl followed by one-and-a-half teaspoons of cooking salt and one-and-a-half teaspoons of fast-acting yeast.
Next, the baker whisks in one-and-a-half teaspoons of granulated sugar, before slowly adding in 400ml (one-and-a-half cups) of warm water. “Once fully incorporated, your dough should have a sticky consistency,” he explains after whisking vigourously.
He then covers the mixture with a tea towel to allow it to “proof” for two to three hours until it’s doubled in size. “Start releasing the dough from the sides of the bowl,” the baker continues in his guidance.
“Then drizzle on some olive oil folding the dough four times in total and then transfer it all into a buttered loaf tin.” The baker then advises to let the dough “proof for a further hour” – or until it has reached the top of the tin.
Now, it’s ready for the oven. “Place into a fan oven set at 190 celsius (375 Fahrenheit) then remove from the oven and let it cool for 15-20 minutes – and that’s it!”
After some TikTok users cursed the use of sugar in the recipe, the baker explained: “Sugar helps feed the yeast and adds to the flavour, colour and texture. If you don’t add sugar just let it prove for longer.”
He also added the bread should be baked for 30-40 minutes – something he forgot to mention in his instructions.
“Must try this recipe but will be adding some stuff like dried onions, black olives and some walnuts. Thank you for sharing,” gushed one person. “I’m in the middle of making this now, so far so good it rose massively, probably tripled in size!” added second.
A third hailed: “I did this and [it was] truly quick prep time and amazingly quick and fantastic loaf.” A fourth praised: “I baked it today, family approved.”