Finally, A Cubed Bread! (2008-01-13)
I did it!!After several trials and errors, I finally found out the secret to
making my loaf with sharp corners! I don't know if others do it
this way, but this is how I can make sure the dough fills up the loaf
tin 100%. It is rather simple really: let the dough rise to 90%
capacity of the tin, close the lid and let rise for ten more minutes,
then bake. That's it!
The various recipes I used before always tell you to let the dough
rise to 90%, close the lid and bake which never results in a square
loaf. The top never fills up the tin and the top corners get all
rounded. I know it's a bit of an obsession for me to make the
loaf a clear cube shape, but it's something I wanted to do and I must
do it, dammit!
Whole Wheat Bread for a 23cmX12cmX12cm tin
First of all, make the sponge starter. Mix 55gm whole wheat
flour with 2gm instant yeast, pour 35gm boiling water in it and use a
spatula to mix it into a smooth dough. Cover and let rest for 4
hours.
Loaf Ingredients
Bread flour 260gm, Whole wheat flour 20gm, Instant yeast 3gm, Salt
4gm, Sugar 20gm, Water 200ml, Skim milk powder 15gm, Butter 20gm
1. Mix all ingredients and the sponge starter, knead in machine or
by hand till smooth and elastic, cover and let rise till double in size.
2. Punch down slightly, divide dough into thirds, shape into balls
slightly, cover, rest 10 minutes.
3. Flatten each ball to 16cmX13cm, fold into thirds and roll the log
into thirds.
4. Put the folded balls into tin and proof in 30C environment for an
hour or so till 90% full. Cover with lid and let rise another 10
minutes. Bake in 190C for 40 minutes. Remove tin, cool
bread on rack completely before slicing.
P.S. Bread loaf using a sponge starter has a very soft and fluffy
texture even after two days. Any slices that cannot be consumed
within two days should be freezed. Thaw bread at room
temperature, never in the microwave and never ever store bread in the
refrigerator unless it has perishable ingredients in it such as cheese
or ham etc. Freezer is the best place to store bread, not the
fridge.
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