Description
Cottage Bread is a rustic, homemade loaf with a soft interior and a golden, slightly crisp crust. This traditional bread is known for its simple ingredients and distinctive stacked, round shape. It’s perfect for slicing and enjoying with butter, jam, or as a base for sandwiches.
Ingredients
Scale
- 4 cups (480g) all-purpose flour
- 1 ½ teaspoons salt
- 2 ¼ teaspoons (1 packet) active dry yeast
- 1 ¼ cups (300ml) warm water (about 110°F/45°C)
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 tablespoons unsalted butter, softened
- 1 tablespoon milk (for brushing, optional)
Instructions
- Activate the Yeast: In a small bowl, mix warm water, sugar, and yeast. Let it sit for 5–10 minutes until frothy.
- Mix the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine flour and salt. Add softened butter and the yeast mixture. Mix until a rough dough forms.
- Knead the Dough: Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface. Knead for about 8–10 minutes until smooth and elastic.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a damp towel, and let it rise in a warm place for 1–1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
- Shape the Loaf: Punch down the dough and divide it into two equal portions. Shape each into a smooth ball. Place one ball on top of the other and press lightly to adhere.
- Second Rise: Transfer the shaped dough to a greased baking sheet or loaf pan. Cover and let it rise for another 30–45 minutes.
- Preheat the Oven: Set the oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bake: Brush the top with milk (optional for a golden crust) and bake for 30–35 minutes, until golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped.
- Cool & Serve: Let the bread cool on a wire rack before slicing. Enjoy!
Notes
- Variations: Add 1 teaspoon of dried herbs (like rosemary or thyme) for a flavored twist.
- Serving Suggestions: Enjoy with butter, honey, or use it for sandwiches and toast.
- Storage: Store in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or freeze for up to 2 months.
- Gluten-Free Adaptation: Use a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend with xanthan gum.
- Dough Handling Tip: If the dough is too sticky, add a tablespoon of flour at a time while kneading.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 30–35 minutes
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1/12 of loaf
- Calories: ~130 kcal
- Sugar: ~1g
- Sodium: ~200mg
- Fat: ~2.5g
- Saturated Fat: ~1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: ~1g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: ~24g
- Fiber: ~1g
- Protein: ~4g
- Cholesterol: ~5mg