This beautiful, soft crumb, barely sweetened loaf is made with an enriched dough (eggs and butter are added to the recipe). Perfect for first time bread bakers- it is a remarkably simple loaf.

a loaf of bread with two slices buttered

I absolutely adore bread baking. The most humble ingredients: flour, salt, water and yeast are transformed in just a few hours into something extraordinary and nourishing. There is nothing more comforting than homemade bread slathered with softened butter, honey and flakey salt.

This is a perfect recipe for beginners. You don’t even need a baking tin, just a large sheet pan and some parchment paper. First things first- water temperture- get it right. I microwave my water and then pop a thermometer into it. When it the water hits 110 degrees, I add my yeast. Never fails me.

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An large mixer with an egg mixture and flour in a measuring cup — This dough comes together with the aid of a stand mixer

The most important thing about bread baking is to FOLLOW THE DIRECTIONS. Read this recipe and then read it again. Make certain you add the salt towards the end of mixing so it does not retard the growth of the yeast. Give yourself plenty of time to bake this recipe. It takes about 4 hours from start to finish.

Bread Baking for Beginners: Soft Enriched Poppyseed Loaf

Soft Enriched Poppyseed Loaf

5 from 1 vote

Recipe by Meggen Arthur Wilson Course: BreadCuisine: American, EuropeanDifficulty: Medium

Servings

loaves

Prep time

hours

minutes

Cooking time

hour

Calories

kcal

This is a simple enriched dough that will yield two loaves of free form bread.

Ingredients

2 packages dry yeast
1 1/2 cup water at 110 degrees
1/2 cup sugar
1 TBSP kosher salt
4 TBSP unsalted butter, melted
4 large eggs
7 cups sifted all purpose flour* see baking notes
1 egg yolk, beten
2 TBSP heavy cream
poppyseeds, for garnish

Directions

In a glass measuring cup, dissolve the yeast in the 110 degree water. Let rest for 3 minutes. Once foamy, pour yeast mixture into the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook. Add the sugar, butter and eggs and mix throughly. Add in the flour 1 cup at a time until the dough is sticky but coming together. Finally, add in the salt. Mix on low for 3 minutes.
Turn the dough out of the bowl onto smooth surface with a bit of flour (not too much) and knead a few times to bring it into the shape of a large ball. Place the dough in a large bowl that has been buttered all over or greased with a neutral oil- like canola ( I prefer butter). Roll the dough around inside the bowl so all the surface of the dough are coated with the butter or oil. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and place in a warm area and let rise for 1- 1 1/4 hours or until the dough has doubled in size.
Punch the dough down with your fist and roll it out onto a floured marbled (or smooth) surface to rid it of any air bubbles. Cut the dough into two loaves and shape it free form into two large Batard shapes (or ovals). Place on a parchment, lined rimless baking sheet. Cover with plastic, place in a warm area and let the loaves rise again for a second proofing until they have doubled again- about another 1 to 1 1/4 hours. The dough will be light and springy to the touch.
Preheat oven to 350 degrees F.
Mix egg yolk with the heavy cream and brush the dough/loaves with the mixture. Sprinkle poppy seeds generously on the loaves. About 2-3 teaspoons per loaf.
Place loaves on the middle rack of the oven and bake for 45-50 minutes or until they sounds hollow when you knock the bottom with your knuckles. The bottom will be deep golden brown.
Place the loaves on a wire rack to cool.

Recipe Video

Notes

You will need plastic wrap, parchment paper, 2 baking sheets and a large glass bowl

Serve this bread with honey and butter. Make it into the most divine French toast. And be certain to share the extra loaf with a friend.

A glass bowl of dough rising on a table — First Proof- Let the dough rise until doubled

Baking Notes

Flour- King Arthur All purpose unbleached flour
Yeast- Red Star Platinum yeast- do NOT use instant for this recipe
If you do not have a stand mixer, knead the dough for three minutes until soft and pliable.
Chill the dough for 2-3 minutes if it too sticky to work with. Chilled dough can be easier to manage.
You can add coarsely chopped apricots, walnuts, prunes or raisins to this recipe.