Mix together the flour, salt and sugar in a large bowl. Rub in the butter until the mixture resembles fine breadcrumbs. Stir in the yeast.
Step 2
Make a well in the centre of the flour mixture and add the warm water. Mix together until a soft dough starts to form. Turn the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for about 10 minutes until you have a smooth and elastic dough. This could also be done using a dough hook of your free-standing mixer.
Step 3
Lightly grease a clean mixing bowl. Cover the bowl with oiled cling film or a damp tea cloth and leave to rise in a warm place for about 45 minutes - 1 hour or until the dough has doubled in size.
Step 4
Knock back the dough by gently kneading just 5 times to get the air out. Mould into a smooth oval and place into a lightly oiled 900g (23 x 13cm) loaf tin.
Step 5
Cover the dough again with oiled cling film or a damp tea cloth and leave to rise in a warm place for about 45 minutes - 1 hour or until the dough has doubled in size.
Step 6
Preheat your oven to 200°C, fan 180°C, gas mark 6.
Step 7
Slit the dough with a sharp knife and sprinkle the dough with a little flour to create a crisp, rustic coating on top of the bread. Place in the centre of the pre-heated oven and bake for 30 - 35 minutes or until the bread is risen and golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped underneath.
Step 8
Turn the bread out onto a wire rack as soon as possible to avoid a soggy crust on the bottom.
Ingredients
MetricImperial
For the Bread
500gAllinson's Strong White Bread Flour
1 tspSalt
1 tspSilver Spoon Caster Sugar
15gUnsalted butter (softened)
7gAllinson's Easy Bake Yeast
300mlWarm water
Utensils
900g loaf tin (23 x13cm)
Nutritional information per 47g serving
Energy 121cal
Fat 1.2g
of which Saturates 0.6g
Carbohydrates 23g
of which Sugars 0g
Protein 4.1g
Salt 0.31g
52 Baker Ratings
I would have put the cut in the bread just before the last proving rather than cutting the bread once it has risen.
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I followed recipe to the last detail but when I cut it down the middle befor baking it just collapsed 🤷♀️ what did I do wrong?
Baking Mad
Sorry to hear that your dough collapsed. It is best once proven to pop your dough straight in the oven, as the dough has filled up with air (making it rise) any cuts or knocks to the dough may cause the air to be knocked out and collapse, which I think may have happened when you cut yours.
In your case, it might be worth knocking the dough back completely and re-proving until double in size before baking. Often bread bakers double prove their dough to give an enhanced flavour so your dough would have been redeemable on this occassion.
