Dense Bread Loaf
So i have switched to making bread for my house entirely this year instead of buying it from the store. i have been using this recipe http://www.iheartnaptime.net/homemade-bread/ and the bread tastes amazing, however every time i make it its very dense. the bread still tastes great but im not sure what i could do to make it light and fluffy. i follow the recipes ingredient closely but rise times and kneading i go by instinct. should i kneed the bread longer after i punch the dough? right now i kneed it for only a couple minutes and then i shape it and put it in my pans and let it rise again then cook it for 30 minutes. when im letting my dough rise for the first time i let it rise till the lip of the kitchen-aid bowl, then i punch it. i would really appreciate any help i could get, making bread is so much fun and it is so rewarding.
And there's an awful lot going on. A far cry from my un-enriched breads all done by weight. Is it the recipe or are you doing something incorrect? I couldn't venture a guess. How about trying your hand at another recipe then compare results?
This is enriched but the method is different, allow done by weight and less going on. It's a popular recipe and only heard good things about it.
https://www.hobbshousebakery.co.uk/blogs/recipes/140062535-overnight-bread
Hello BakerLove.
The recipe needs more water, you are right to say it is dense. Take a look below.
Option 1) If you use 5 cups of flour with this recipe and hydration. I suggest kneading for 5-8 minutes. But be warned, your rise time will be around 4-6 hours.
Option 2) Add a 1/3 cup more water.
Cheers.
Ok so i made this same recipe on Monday and did everything the same but this time i had to use a different butter. i usually use Challenge stone stick butter but this time i used Land O Lakes butter from the tub we have. the bread came out amazing! way smoother and soft. it actually had natural air holes in it like normal bread does. would butter change the texture this much? or did it just get some extra kneading time in the initial mixing process?
It is bit on the dry side otherwise. That shold fix it.