There’s nothing quite as comforting as the smell of warm, fresh bread taking over the kitchen as you take your loaf out of the oven.
While this recipe doesn’t call for an oven, it is sure to leave your home smelling delicious in just a few simple steps.
This simple method allows you to make delicious homemade bread without any fancy equipment, making it ideal for beginners.
With just a handful of ingredients and minimal prep time, you can whip up a delightful loaf in just a couple of hours, according to BBC Good Food.
Whether you prefer wholemeal or white bread, this versatile recipe can easily be adapted to suit your taste, ensuring that fresh bread is always within reach.
Ingredients
- 500g strong wholemeal flour or strong white flour (or a mix of flours, see tip), plus extra for dusting
- Seven grams sachet fast-action dried yeast
- One tsp fine sea salt
Method
Start by combining the flour, yeast, and salt in a large bowl, then create a well in the centre. Measure out 350ml of warm water and pour most of it into the well.
Using your fingers or a wooden spoon, mix the flour and water until you achieve a slightly damp, pillowy dough. If needed, add a bit more water to help combine.
Transfer the dough onto a lightly floured surface and knead it for at least 10 minutes, until it becomes smooth and elastic. Alternatively, you can use a stand mixer fitted with a dough hook for this step.
Form the dough into a tight, large ball and place it on a piece of baking parchment. Use the parchment to lift the dough into your slow cooker, cover it, and set the slow cooker to high. Let it rise for two hours.
Carefully remove the bread using the parchment. The base should be crusty while the top should have a slight spring when pressed, not feel soft. If you have a digital cooking thermometer, the centre should read 90°C.
If it’s not ready, return it to the slow cooker for an additional 15 minutes and check again; it may take up to two hours and 30 minutes in total.
Keep in mind that the bread won’t develop a thick crust or a golden colour in the slow cooker. Once it’s cooked, you can either allow it to cool or place it in an oven preheated to 240°C (220°C fan/gas mark 9) for 5-10 minutes to achieve a lovely colour.
