Baking bread at high altitude can be challenging due to lower air pressure, which affects the rising process. This recipe is tailored specifically for high-altitude conditions, ensuring your homemade bread rises perfectly and has a great texture.
With simple ingredients and straightforward steps, you can create a delicious loaf of bread that is perfect for sandwiches or to enjoy with butter.
Understanding High-Altitude Baking
Baking bread at high altitudes presents unique challenges due to the lower air pressure, which can affect how the dough rises.
For those living above 3,500 feet, adjustments are necessary to achieve that perfect loaf. This recipe is specifically crafted to ensure your bread rises beautifully, resulting in a soft, airy texture that is simply delightful.
Ingredients for Success
Creating a delicious loaf requires just a few simple ingredients. The foundation is all-purpose flour, which provides the structure needed for the bread.
Along with flour, sugar, salt, and instant yeast are essential for flavor and fermentation. Warm water activates the yeast, while olive oil can add richness. For those seeking even better structure, vital wheat gluten is an optional addition that can enhance the texture.
Step-by-Step Process
The process begins with mixing the dry ingredients in a large bowl. This ensures an even distribution of the yeast and salt, which are crucial for the dough’s rise.
Once the dry ingredients are combined, the warm water and olive oil are added. Stirring until a shaggy dough forms is key. Kneading the dough on a floured surface for about 10 minutes develops the gluten, giving the bread its characteristic chewiness.
Rising to the Occasion
After kneading, the dough needs to rise. Placing it in a greased bowl and covering it allows the yeast to work its magic. In a warm environment, the dough should double in size within an hour.
Once the first rise is complete, the dough is punched down, shaped into a loaf, and placed in a greased loaf pan for the second rise. This step is crucial for achieving the right height and texture in the final product.
Baking and Cooling
Preheating the oven to 375°F (190°C) is essential before baking. The bread should bake for 30-35 minutes, until it turns golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom.
After baking, allowing the bread to cool in the pan for a short time before transferring it to a wire rack is important. This step helps maintain the bread’s texture and prevents it from becoming soggy.
Serving Suggestions
Once cooled, this homemade bread is ready to be enjoyed. Slicing it reveals a soft, fluffy interior, perfect for sandwiches or simply slathered with butter.
Pairing it with a small dish of butter creates a warm and inviting scene, making it an ideal addition to any meal or gathering. The aroma of freshly baked bread will surely entice everyone around!
Easy High Altitude Bread Recipe
This homemade bread recipe is designed for altitudes above 3,500 feet. It yields a soft, flavorful loaf that takes about 2 hours from start to finish and serves 10 slices.
Ingredients
- 4 cups all-purpose flour (plus extra for dusting)
- 1 tablespoon sugar
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons instant yeast
- 1 1/2 cups warm water (110°F to 115°F)
- 2 tablespoons olive oil (optional)
- 1 tablespoon vital wheat gluten (optional, for better structure)
Instructions
- Mix Dry Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the flour, sugar, salt, yeast, and vital wheat gluten if using. Mix well.
- Add Wet Ingredients: Pour in the warm water and olive oil. Stir until a shaggy dough forms.
- Knead the Dough: Turn the dough onto a floured surface and knead for about 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. If the dough is too sticky, add a little more flour as needed.
- First Rise: Place the dough in a greased bowl, cover it with a damp cloth, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1 hour or until doubled in size.
- Shape the Loaf: Punch down the risen dough and turn it out onto a floured surface. Shape it into a loaf and place it in a greased 9×5-inch loaf pan.
- Second Rise: Cover the loaf with a damp cloth and let it rise for another 30-45 minutes, until it has risen above the edge of the pan.
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Bake: Bake the bread for 30-35 minutes, or until golden brown and sounds hollow when tapped on the bottom. If the top browns too quickly, cover it loosely with aluminum foil.
- Cool: Remove the bread from the oven and let it cool in the pan for 10 minutes before transferring it to a wire rack to cool completely.
Cook and Prep Times
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 35 minutes
- Total Time: 2 hours
- Servings: 10 slices
- Calories: 150kcal
- Fat: 2g
- Protein: 5g
- Carbohydrates: 28g