how to make a basic bread dough
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This bread dough is so simple, anyone can do it!
It can also be used in many ways, such as a loaf of bread, pizza or even focaccia.
ingredients
- 500g Flour (granary, strong wholewheat or white bread flour)
- 300ml Luke warm water
- 7g sachet fast-action dried yeast (1 sachet)
- 1 and a half teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoon olive oil
preparation time: 15 minutes
cook time: 30+ minutes
You can swap the flour for any type of flour you like! But, you might have to increase the water a little bit if it is too dry.
how to make the basic bread dough
1. mix the dry ingredients first
Tip the flour, yeast and salt into a large bowl and mix together with your hands.
Stir 300ml luke warm water with the oil, then stir the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients and mix it together to make a soft dough.
It doesn't need to be smooth or beautiful at this stage.
2. knead the dough
Clean your kitchen side. make sure there is no dust or hairs!!
Put the rough dough onto a clean, surface that has been sprinkled with flour, and knead it for 5 mins, until the dough doesn't feel sticky anymore. You can sprinkle the dough with a little more flour if you need it.
What is kneading dough?
Kneading dough is basically stretching it. Simply push the dough away from you with the heel of your palm, holding the other side back. Then folding the dough over itself with your fingers, and doing it again. Do this over and over for at least 5 minutes, but try for 10 minutes.
A great way to knead dough is by using a stand mixer with a dough hook. It saves time, effort and cleaning!
3. proof the dough (let it rise)
Lightly oil a large mixing bowl that has plenty of space for the dough to grow big! Put the dough in the mixing bowl. Cover it with a clean, damp tea towel and leave it to rise for at least 1 hour, until the dough has grown to double its size. Rising bread dough likes warm places.
4. shaping your dough
How to Shape Dough Into a Round Loaf
- Lightly dust your hands, dough and your kitchen side with flour.
- Try to get the dough into a round shape first without handling the dough too much. We want to keep the air in the dough.
- If you have a rough ball shape, roll the dough towards you by dragging your hand round the side and slightly underneath the dough, rolling it round as you pull it. Your other hand will stay almost still as you roll the dough against it.
- This technique does take some practice, and we recommend watching some tutorials on Youtube how to do it. Keep on doing it until you have a nice smooth ball of dough that holds its shape. But, try to do it as little as you can. Remember, try to keep the air in the dough!
How to prepare the dough for pizza
- Lightly dust your hands, dough and your kitchen side with flour.
- Tip the dough out onto a clean surface. Don't forget, we want to keep the air in the dough.
- Cut your dough into 4, 6, or 8 equal pieces, depending on how much dough you have and how big you want your pizzas.
- Grab a piece of dough, and your goal is to make a ball that is folded into itself. You are going go around the piece of dough and tuck the edges underneath itself. Keep turning it and tucking the edges underneath.
- When you have done this a few times, turn the ball upside down and pinch the bottom together to seal it. There is your pizza ball!
- This technique does take some practice, and we recommend watching some tutorials on Youtube how to do it. Remember, try to keep the air in the dough!
- Put your pizza balls in a floured proofing tray (this is what Domino's use to proof their dough!)
5. time to bake bread!
Heat oven to 180C/Gas mark 6. Carefully make a few slashes across the top of the loaf with a sharp knife, then bake your bread for 30-35 mins until the loaf has risen and is golden brown. You will need to bake it longer than you might feel it needs. Don't take it out too early!
If you are making Pizza, roll out your base and put on your toppings first! (Pizza only takes 10 to 15 minutes to cook, but keep an eye on it).
5. is it baked enough?
Put your newly baked bread onto a cooling rack (so the air can get underneath) and carefully tap the base of the bread to check it is cooked. It should sound hollow. If it does then it is cooked! Remember, you might need to bake it longer than you are comfortable with to make sure it's cooked. Don't slice it before it is cool!
