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James Martin White Bread

James Martin White Bread Recipe
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James Martin White Bread is a traditional white loaf made with just a few basic ingredients: flour, water, yeast, and a touch of sugar and salt. The dough is kneaded until smooth and then allowed to rise before being baked to perfection. The result is a light and airy interior encased in a beautifully browned, crusty exterior.

Ingredients

Scale

To make one loaf of James Martin White Bread, you’ll need the following ingredients:

  • 500g (4 cups) strong white bread flour: The base for the bread, providing structure and chew.
  • 10g (2 tsp) salt: Enhances the flavor of the bread.
  • 10g (2 tsp) sugar: Feeds the yeast and helps with browning the crust.
  • 7g (1 packet) fast-action dried yeast: The leavening agent that helps the bread rise.
  • 320ml (1 ⅓ cups) lukewarm water: Activates the yeast and binds the ingredients together.
  • 20g (2 tbsp) unsalted butter, melted: Adds richness and a tender texture to the bread.

Instructions

Now let’s walk through the steps to bake a perfect loaf of white bread.

Step 1: Prepare the Dough

  1. In a large bowl, mix the flour, salt, sugar, and yeast together.
  2. Make a well in the center, then pour in the lukewarm water and melted butter.
  3. Mix with a wooden spoon until a sticky dough forms.

Step 2: Knead the Dough

  1. Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface.
  2. Knead for 10 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and elastic. If using a mixer with a dough hook, knead for about 5 minutes.

Step 3: First Rise

  1. Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a kitchen towel, and leave it to rise in a warm place for 1 hour, or until doubled in size.

Step 4: Shape the Dough

  1. Once risen, punch the dough down to release the air.
  2. Shape the dough into a log and place it into a greased loaf tin.

Step 5: Second Rise

  1. Cover the loaf tin with a towel and let the dough rise again for 30-45 minutes, or until it reaches the top of the tin.

Step 6: Preheat the Oven

  1. While the dough is rising, preheat your oven to 220°C (425°F).

Step 7: Bake the Bread

  1. Bake the loaf for 25-30 minutes, or until it is golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
  2. Remove the loaf from the oven and transfer it to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.

Find it online: https://britishbakingrecipes.co.uk/james-martin-white-bread-recipe/