{"id":13722,"date":"2020-04-30T15:55:01","date_gmt":"2020-04-30T14:55:01","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gousto.co.uk\/blog\/?p=13722"},"modified":"2025-05-28T11:31:31","modified_gmt":"2025-05-28T10:31:31","slug":"easy-bread-recipe","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gousto.co.uk\/blog\/easy-bread-recipe","title":{"rendered":"How To Bake A Perfect, Fluffy Loaf of Bread"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"wpb-content-wrapper\"><p>[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]Freshly baked bread is the best smell in the world \u2013 and a staple you can freeze too.<\/p>\n<p>So if you&#8217;re thinking about baking your own, here&#8217;s an easy step-by-step bread recipe that will show you how to prep, knead and bake the perfect loaf at home.<\/p>\n<h2>Ingredients<\/h2>\n<p><strong>Makes 1 loaf<\/strong><\/p>\n<p>1 sachet fast action yeast<\/p>\n<p>300 ml tepid water<\/p>\n<p>20 ml olive oil<\/p>\n<p>1 tsp sugar<\/p>\n<p>560 g strong white flour (also called &#8216;bread flour&#8217;)<\/p>\n<p>2 tsp flaky salt (or 1tsp table salt)<\/p>\n<p>A loaf tin<\/p>\n<h2>Method<\/h2>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13737\" src=\"https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-yeast-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-yeast-2.jpg 800w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-yeast-2-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-yeast-2-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-yeast-2-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-yeast-2-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-yeast-2-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-yeast-2-180x180.jpg 180w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-yeast-2-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 706px) 89vw, (max-width: 767px) 82vw, 740px\" \/> All rights reserved[\/caption]<\/p>\n<p>Mix the yeast, water, oil and sugar together in a measuring jug, then leave for 5-10 minutes until the yeast has gone foamy. This means it&#8217;s activated.<\/p>\n<p>Add your dry ingredients to a large mixing bowl (or the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the dough hook) and create a well in the centre.<\/p>\n<p>Pour your yeast mixture and mix until fully combined.<\/p>\n<p>Knead for 15 minutes by hand, or for 10 minutes if using an electric mixer.\u00a0 You\u2019ll know it\u2019s ready when it is smooth and silky and will spring back if you press it.<\/p>\n<h2>Here&#8217;s a step-by-step guide on how to knead your bread dough by hand<\/h2>\n<p><b>Step 1: <\/b>Prepare a flat surface for kneading by cleaning it with warm, soapy water, drying with a towel, and dusting it with flour so the dough doesn&#8217;t stick.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_13727\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13727\" style=\"width: 1080px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13727\" src=\"https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-knead-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-knead-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-knead-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-knead-1-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-knead-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-knead-1-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-knead-1-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-knead-1-180x180.jpg 180w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-knead-1-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 706px) 89vw, (max-width: 767px) 82vw, 740px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-13727\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">All rights reserved<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><b>Step 2: <\/b>Tip your dough onto a floured work surface. It should be a sticky, loose lump.<\/p>\n<p><b>Step 3: <\/b>Wash and dry your hands again. Now roll up your sleeves and get ready to knead!<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_13730\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13730\" style=\"width: 1080px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13730\" src=\"https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-knead-4.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-knead-4.jpg 800w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-knead-4-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-knead-4-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-knead-4-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-knead-4-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-knead-4-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-knead-4-180x180.jpg 180w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-knead-4-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 706px) 89vw, (max-width: 767px) 82vw, 740px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-13730\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">All rights reserved<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><b>Step 4:<\/b> Gather the dough in a pile, it should feel very tacky and difficult to manage at first. Work it with your hands by forming it into a ball, then pressing down and away from you, and reshaping it. Keep going (this is a great stress reliever!) until it starts feeling smoother and silkier. If it doesn&#8217;t, sprinkle with a bit more flour.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_13729\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13729\" style=\"width: 1080px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13729\" src=\"https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-knead-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-knead-3.jpg 800w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-knead-3-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-knead-3-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-knead-3-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-knead-3-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-knead-3-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-knead-3-180x180.jpg 180w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-knead-3-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 706px) 89vw, (max-width: 767px) 82vw, 740px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-13729\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">All rights reserved<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><b>Step 5: <\/b>Continue to work the dough for 10-15 minutes, regularly turning it and without resting for too long.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_13728\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13728\" style=\"width: 1080px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13728\" src=\"https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-knead-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-knead-2.jpg 800w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-knead-2-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-knead-2-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-knead-2-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-knead-2-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-knead-2-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-knead-2-180x180.jpg 180w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-knead-2-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 706px) 89vw, (max-width: 767px) 82vw, 740px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-13728\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">All rights reserved<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p><b>Step 6: <\/b>You can stop kneading when your dough looks shiny and smooth. It should be slightly tacky, elastic and spring back when you press it. This means the gluten has developed, and you&#8217;ll have a light, springy finished loaf.<\/p>\n<h2>Once you&#8217;re done kneading&#8230;<\/h2>\n<figure id=\"attachment_13725\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13725\" style=\"width: 1080px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13725\" src=\"https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-first-rise-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-first-rise-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-first-rise-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-first-rise-1-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-first-rise-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-first-rise-1-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-first-rise-1-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-first-rise-1-180x180.jpg 180w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-first-rise-1-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 706px) 89vw, (max-width: 767px) 82vw, 740px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-13725\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">All rights reserved<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Grease a clean bowl with olive oil. Roll the dough into a ball and place in the bowl.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_13726\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13726\" style=\"width: 1080px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13726\" src=\"https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-first-rise-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-first-rise-2.jpg 800w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-first-rise-2-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-first-rise-2-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-first-rise-2-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-first-rise-2-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-first-rise-2-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-first-rise-2-180x180.jpg 180w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-first-rise-2-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 706px) 89vw, (max-width: 767px) 82vw, 740px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-13726\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">All rights reserved<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Cover with cling film, a clean tea towel or a <b>clean\/new shower cap (I keep one specifically for baking)\u00a0 <\/b>and leave in a warm place to rise for an hour, or until it\u2019s doubled in size.<\/p>\n<p>Whilst your dough is rising oil and flour your bread tin.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_13733\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13733\" style=\"width: 1080px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13733\" src=\"https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-tin-shape-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-tin-shape-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-tin-shape-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-tin-shape-1-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-tin-shape-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-tin-shape-1-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-tin-shape-1-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-tin-shape-1-180x180.jpg 180w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-tin-shape-1-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 706px) 89vw, (max-width: 767px) 82vw, 740px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-13733\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">All rights reserved<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>When the dough has risen (save your clingfilm\/tea towel\/shower cap for later) turn the dough out onto a clean work surface and stretch the dough out until you have formed a thin sheet about 1cm thick.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_13734\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13734\" style=\"width: 1080px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13734\" src=\"https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-tin-shape-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-tin-shape-2.jpg 800w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-tin-shape-2-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-tin-shape-2-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-tin-shape-2-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-tin-shape-2-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-tin-shape-2-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-tin-shape-2-180x180.jpg 180w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-tin-shape-2-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 706px) 89vw, (max-width: 767px) 82vw, 740px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-13734\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">All rights reserved<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Fold into thirds &#8211; imagine you\u2019re folding an A4 letter to go into a standard envelope.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_13735\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13735\" style=\"width: 1080px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13735\" src=\"https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-tin-shape-3.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-tin-shape-3.jpg 800w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-tin-shape-3-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-tin-shape-3-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-tin-shape-3-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-tin-shape-3-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-tin-shape-3-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-tin-shape-3-180x180.jpg 180w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-tin-shape-3-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 706px) 89vw, (max-width: 767px) 82vw, 740px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-13735\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">All rights reserved<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Starting at one of the narrower ends, roll the dough towards you, using your thumbs to tightly tuck the roll so it stays taut, you don\u2019t want any gaps in the roll.<\/p>\n<figure id=\"attachment_13731\" aria-describedby=\"caption-attachment-13731\" style=\"width: 1080px\" class=\"wp-caption alignnone\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"size-full wp-image-13731\" src=\"https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-second-rise-1.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1080\" srcset=\"https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-second-rise-1.jpg 800w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-second-rise-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-second-rise-1-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-second-rise-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-second-rise-1-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-second-rise-1-200x200.jpg 200w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-second-rise-1-180x180.jpg 180w, https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-second-rise-1-100x100.jpg 100w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 706px) 89vw, (max-width: 767px) 82vw, 740px\" \/><figcaption id=\"caption-attachment-13731\" class=\"wp-caption-text\">All rights reserved<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<p>Place the loaf in the tin, seam-side down, sprinkle with flour, cover with the tea towel from earlier and leave to rise a second time.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-13732\" src=\"https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/bread-second-rise-2.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"1080\" height=\"1080\" \/>This should be about an hour, or until it\u2019s doubled in size again.<\/p>\n<p>After about 40 minutes, turn your oven on as high as it will go, you want it screaming hot!\u00a0 If you have a baking stone &#8211; like a pizza stone put this in the oven now too (optional).\u00a0 After 10 minutes, put a tray of water in the bottom of the oven to create steam.<\/p>\n<p><strong>Top tip!<\/strong> Be VERY careful when opening the oven after 10 minutes, as the steam rushing out can scald you.<\/p>\n<p>Uncover your loaf.<\/p>\n<p>Using a sharp knife, score a line down the top of your dough, and put the tin in the oven (on the baking stone if using) and set a timer for 10 minutes.\u00a0 When your alarm goes off, remove the water tray from the oven and let some of the steam out, and turn the oven down to gas mark 8\/230\u00baC\/210\u00baCfan.<\/p>\n<p>Bake for a further 30 minutes until risen and golden brown. You can test if your bread is cooked through by removing the loaf and knocking on the bottom. If it sounds hollow, it\u2019s ready.<\/p>\n<p>Remove from the tin and leave to cool completely before cutting into it. Congratulations &#8211; you baked a delicious loaf of bread. Time to share your creations with us on social media. Don&#8217;t forget to tag us @goustocooking we love seeing what you bake! And if this bread still hasn&#8217;t scratched that baking itch for you why not try one of our other sweet recipes? We&#8217;ve got an incredible recipe for <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gousto.co.uk\/blog\/toffee-apple-cake\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Toffee Apple Cake<\/a> and our <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gousto.co.uk\/blog\/guinness-cupcakes\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">Chocolate Guinness Cup Cakes<\/a> are a must-try.\u00a0 As always if you have any questions for us (or tips to share) let us know in the comments below.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row]<\/p>\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text css=&#8221;&#8221;]Freshly baked bread is the best smell in the world \u2013 and a staple you can freeze too. So if you&#8217;re thinking about baking your own, here&#8217;s an easy step-by-step bread recipe that will show you how to prep, knead and bake the perfect loaf at home. Ingredients Makes 1 loaf 1 sachet fast &hellip; <\/p>\n<p class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.gousto.co.uk\/blog\/easy-bread-recipe\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;How To Bake A Perfect, Fluffy Loaf of Bread&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":36,"featured_media":13739,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_lmt_disableupdate":"no","_lmt_disable":"yes","footnotes":""},"categories":[543],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-13722","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-kitchen-hacks"],"acf":[],"featured_image_src":"https:\/\/gousto.gurucloud.co.uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/04\/Bread-scaled.jpg","author_info":{"display_name":"Jenny","author_link":"https:\/\/www.gousto.co.uk\/blog\/author\/jenny"},"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.4 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