Family Loaves of Bread

Jul 31, 2021

The perfect recipe for making two loaves of bread which are the perfect size for sandwiches or toast.

It includes wholemeal flour – but not too much that some family members may turn their noses up at it. And enough wholemeal flour to make it better than a traditional white sandwich loaf – that my husband consumes more of than he should.

This recipe will make two soft sandwich loaves that are the perfect size for school lunches and toast (as we all know that sometimes homemade bread can tower out of your toaster and create the dilemma of whether to eat the piece with a third uncooked – or re-toast it and risk two thirds burning).

You can make this recipe in;

  • The bread maker
  • A cake mixer with a dough hook
  • Or by even kneading by hand.

Combine together;

Warm water (37 degrees to be exact)
Honey (or 1 1/4 Tbsp of sugar
Oil (or butter)
Milk powder (or milk)
Salt
Good quality white flour
Wholemeal flour
Surebake yeast

Bread Maker – Dough setting
If using your bread maker – place it on the ‘dough’ function.  It will knead it and allow it to rise once.

Dough Hook Method – Using your cake mixer
If using your cake mixer – place all the ingredients in together and use a dough hook to knead the ingredients for 10-12 mins until the dough ca be stretched without breaking harshly. Cover and place somewhere warm to rise.

Kneading the Dough – by hand
If you are kneading it by hand – combine all the ingredients and mix together to form a ball.  Tip onto a floured surface and knead until the consistency described above.

Once the dough has doubled in size – punch it down and tip it out onto a floured surface and half the dough.

Shape each half into a small loaf and place in either a lined or greased loaf tin (Take a look at my loaf highlight to see how I shaped mine).

Find a warm spot and allow the loaves to rise for a second time.  You want them to rise by half again.

Turn your oven on to 200 and let it warm up while you wait for the bread to work its magic.

Cook the bread for 15-20 mins until golden brown.

Tap the bread to check for a thick crust and listen for a hollow sound.

Enjoy

Things to consider;

– This recipe can be made dairy free.  The milk is there to help with flavour and create a good crust – but will not fail if you need to leave it out

– If you don’t have Surebake yeast you can use an active yeast but you will need to an extra step.  Use 2 tsp of active yeast and combine with the warm water and honey to activate before adding the remaining ingredients.  You want the mixture to create a frothy white foamy surface.

– I am not a bread expert.  But have found this recipe to be a good robust recipe that makes two good sized loaves.

If you would like to try more bread recipes then you may like to take a look at these favourites of mine too;

The Kiwi Country Girl has a whole ebook dedicated to bread and its free https://www.thekiwicountrygirl.com/bread-baking-ebook/

Homegrown Happiness Sourdough https://homegrownhappiness.co.nz/homemade-sourdough-step-by-step/

VJ Cooks no knead bread https://vjcooks.com/large-no-knead-loaf/

Family Loaves of Bread

This recipe will make two perfectly sized sandwich loaves that are the perfect size for school lunches and for toasting
Prep Time2 hours
Cook Time20 minutes

Equipment

  • Bread maker (optional)
  • Cake mixer with dough hook attachment (also optional)
  • Oven
  • Bowl
  • 2x Bread tins
  • Clean flat surface

Ingredients

  • 420 ml Warm water (37 degrees to be exact)
  • 1 tbsp Honey
  • 2 tbsp Oil (or butter)
  • 2 tbsp Milk powder Alternatively you could use ordinary milk or leave it out completely
  • 2 tsp Salt
  • cups Good Quality White Flour
  • cups Wholemeal Flour
  • 4 tsp Surebake Yeast

Instructions

Bread Maker Instructions

  • Place all the ingredients into the bread maker's pan and choose the ‘dough’ function.  It will knead it and allow it to rise once.

Cake Mixer with a Dough Hook Attachment Instructions

  • Place all the ingredients in together and use a dough hook to knead the ingredients for 10-12 mins until the dough can be stretched without breaking harshly.
  • Cover and place somewhere warm to rise.

Kneading by Hand Instructions

  • Combine all of the ingredients, and mix together to form a ball. 
  • Tip onto a floured surface and knead until the consistency described above.

First Rise

  • Allow the dough to rise until it has doubled in size.
    Once the dough has doubled in size – punch it down and tip it out onto a floured surface.
  • Half the dough into two even amounts
  • Shape each half into a small loaf and place them in either a lined or greased loaf tin

Second Rise

  • Find a warm spot and allow the loaves to rise for a second time.  You want them to rise by half again.
  • Cover with a damp teatowel to avoid the loaves drying out.
  • Turn your oven on to 200 and let it warm up while you wait for the bread to rise a second time.

Cook the Bread

  • Cook the bread for 15-20 mins until golden brown.
  • Tap the bread to check for a thick crust and listen for a hollow sound.

Things to Consider

  • This recipe can be made dairy free.  The milk is there to help with flavour and create a good crust but will not fail if you need to leave it out
  • If you don’t have Surebake yeast you can use an active yeast, but you will need to add an extra step.  Use 2 tsp of active yeast and combine it with the warm water and honey to activate before adding the remaining ingredients.  You want the mixture to create a frothy white foamy surface.
  • I am not a bread expert.  But have found this recipe to be a good robust recipe that makes two good sized loaves.