Free Formed Bread Recipes

GRANDMA'S PERFECT HOMEMADE BREAD

Steps:

• In a stand mixer add the warm water, sugar, salt and yeast. Let the yeast proof until it bubbles for about 5 minutes. Using the dough hook start adding the flour one cup at a time until the dough combines and forms a soft dough.
• On a floured surface knead the dough until smooth and elastic and form a ball. Add the oil to the large bowl and add the dough to the bowl and cover. Let rise until it has doubled 1- 1 1/2 hours.
• Grease and flour 2 9x5 inch pans. Punch the dough to release the air. Lay the dough onto a flat surface and cut into two loaves. Roll each loaf up and place into the loaf pans. Let rise until it doubles another 1-1 1/2 hours.
• Bake in a preheated 350 degree oven for 30-35 minutes or until golden brown on the tops. Remove from the oven and let cool for 10 minutes before slicing.

GRAIN FREE BREAD RECIPE

Steps:

• In a large bowl, whisk together almond, arrowroot and coconut flours with the sea salt. In a small bowl heat 1 1/4 cups of water to 105-110 F degrees. Add maple syrup and rapid rise yeast. Let sit for about 10 minutes. The yeast should start to bubble. Stir in the chia and psyllium into the prepared yeast mixture. Let sit for about 10 minutes while the ingredients thicken. Whisk together, then add to the flour mixture and stir with a spoon until all the ingredients are well incorporated. Knead dough for about 1 minute, then place back in the large bowl and cover with a damp towel. Place in a draft-free area and let rise for about an hours. Pre-heat oven to 425 F degrees with baking sheet or stone. In a small bowl whisk egg. Form dough into desired shape and brush egg over the loaf. Place on heated baking pan and bake for 25-30 minutes or until the internal temperature reaches 205 -210 F degrees. Let cool completely before slicing.

BASIC HOMEMADE BREAD

Steps:

• In a large bowl, dissolve yeast and 1/2 teaspoon sugar in warm water; let stand until bubbles form on surface. Whisk together remaining 3 tablespoons sugar, salt and 3 cups flour. Stir oil into yeast mixture; pour into flour mixture and beat until smooth. Stir in enough remaining flour, 1/2 cup at a time, to form a soft dough. , Turn onto a floured surface; knead until smooth and elastic, 8-10 minutes. Place in a greased bowl, turning once to grease the top. Cover and let rise in a warm place until doubled, 1-1/2 to 2 hours., Punch dough down. Turn onto a lightly floured surface; divide dough in half. Shape each into a loaf. Place in 2 greased 9x5-in. loaf pans. Cover and let rise until doubled, 1 to 1-1/2 hours., Bake at 375° until golden brown and bread sounds hollow when tapped or has reached an internal temperature of 200°, 30-35 minutes. Remove from pans to wire racks to cool.

HOMEMADE BREAD

Steps:

• Prepare the dough: In a large bowl or stand mixer add the yeast, water and a pinch of the sugar or honey. Allow to rest for 5-10 minutes until foaming and bubbly. (This is called "proofing" the yeast, to make sure it is active. If it doesn't foam, the yeast is no good, and you need to start over with fresh yeast).
• Add remaining sugar or honey, salt, oil, and 3 cups of flour. Mix to combine.
• Add another cup of flour and mix to combine. With the mixer running add more flour, ½ cup at a time, until the dough begins to pull away from the sides of the bowl. The dough should be smooth and elastic, and slightly stick to a clean finger, but not be overly sticky. Add a little more flour, if needed.
• Knead the dough: Mix the dough for 4-5 minutes on medium speed (or knead with your hands on a lightly floured surface, for 5-8 minutes).
• First Rise: Grease a large bowl with oil or cooking spray and place the dough inside, turning to coat. Cover with a dish towel or plastic wrap and allow to rise in a warm place* until doubled in size, about 1 1/2 hours.
• Spray two 9x5'' bread pans generously with cooking spray on all sides. (I also like to line the bottom of the pans with a small piece of parchment or wax paper, but this is optional.)
• Punch the dough down well to remove air bubbles. Divide into two equal portions. Shape each ball into long logs and place into greased loaf pans.
• Second rise: Spray two pieces of plastic wrap with cooking spray and lay them gently over the pans. Allow dough to rise again for about 45 minutes to one hour, or until risen about 1 inch above the loaf pans. Gently removing covering.
• Bake: Preheat oven to 350 F. Bake bread for about 30-33 minutes, or until golden brown on top. Give the top of a loaf a gentle tap; it should sound hollow.
• Invert the loaves onto a wire cooling rack. Brush the tops with butter and allow to cool for at least 10 minutes before slicing.
• Once cool, store in an airtight container or bag for 2-3 days at room temperature, or up to 5 days in the refrigerator.

BASIC WHITE BREAD

Steps:

• Dissolve 1 teaspoon (5 mL) sugar in 1/2 cup (125 mL) warm water in large mixing bowl. Sprinkle in yeast. Let stand 10 minutes, then stir well.
• Combine milk, butter, 2 tablespoons (30 mL) sugar, salt and 1/2 cup (125 mL) warm water. Add milk mixture and 2 cups (500 mL) flour to dissolved yeast mixture. Beat with wooden spoon or electric mixer until smooth and elastic.
• Stir in 2 1/2 cups (625 mL) of remaining flour gradually. If necessary, add more flour to make a soft dough which leaves sides of bowl. Turn out on floured board. Round up into a ball.
• Knead dough, adding more flour as necessary, until dough is smooth, elastic and no longer sticky (about 10 minutes).
• Place in lightly greased bowl. Turn dough to greased top. Cover with parchment paper and tea towel.
• Let rise in warm place (75°-85°F/24°-29°C) until doubled (45 to 60 minutes).
• Punch Down. Turn out onto lightly floured board and divide into 2 equal portions. Cover and let rest for 10 minutes.
• Shape each portion into a loaf. Place seam side down in 2 greased 8 1/2" x 4 1/2" x 2 3/4" (1.5 L) loaf pans. Cover with tea towel.
• Let Rise in warm place until dough rises 1 1/2" (3 cm) above top of pan in centre and corners are filled (45 to 60 minutes).
• Preheat oven to 400°F (200°C).
• Bake on lower oven rack of preheated oven for 25 to 30 minutes. Remove from pans immediately. Brush top crust with butter if a soft crust is desired. Cool on wire racks.

HOMEMADE RUSTIC NO YEAST BREAD

Steps:

• Pre-heat oven to 425F (220C). Line a cookie sheet with parchment paper.
• In a large bowl whisk together the flour, sugar, salt and baking powder. Then add the water and mix together, either with a fork or spatula.Sprinkle a flat surface with a little flour, place the dough on top and gently knead for a minute or two until smooth. Gently flatten the dough into a small rectangle with the palm of your hand and fold it like an envelope. Sprinkle with flour if needed.Then form into your preferred loaf shape, score the top and place on prepared cookie sheet. Bake for 15 minutes then lower the temperature to 350F (180C) for another 10 minutes.Let cool on a wire rack before serving. Enjoy!

FREE FORMED BREAD

Steps:

• Add the yeast and the salt to the warm water (about 110 degrees F) in a large bowl. You don't need to mix it or wait for it to dissolve.
• Add the water. No need to sift or pack the flour. Simply scoop it up, sweep level, and add all of it to the water mixture.
• Use a wooden spoon or your (very wet) hands to mix in the flour. It's not necessary to knead the dough. Just mix it together until it's uniformly moist.
• Cover the bowl and allow it to rise in a warm spot until it's about twice its size. I cover it with a hand towel and put it in the sun. This will take about 2 hours.
• It's recommended that you allow the dough to then sit in the fridge for a few hours, but if you're like me, you're ready to eat. Cut off a grapefruit sized chunk of dough and with floured hands, stretch and mold it into a ball. Again, no need to knead - this shouldn't take more than 60 seconds.
• Place the ball of dough onto a heavily floured surface you can later use to slide the dough into the oven (like a pizza peel). Flour the top of the ball and use a knife to cut a couple of slices into the top. Allow the dough to sit and rise for 40 minutes. After 20 minutes, turn the oven on to 450 degrees F (230 degrees C) and place a baking surface on the middle rack (a baking stone works best but a cookie sheet will work).
• After 40 minutes, slide the dough on to the baking surface. The trick is to add a pan with 1 cup of water to the bottom rack, which will help bake the bread with steam, making it soft in the middle. Bake for about 30 minutes or until the crust is golden brown.
• Keep the rest of the dough covered or in a freezer bag in the fridge until you're ready for another loaf (it will keep for well over a week). The initial dough making is the tedious part. However, when you're ready for a loaf, cut off a chunk of dough, spend 60 seconds to roll the dough into a ball, let rise for 40 minutes and cook for 30. You'll have fresh bread for 60 seconds of work.