12 Days of Cozy Bakes – Torte Signature Bread

 

If you’ve followed the Bakeshop Mysteries, you’ll know that Torte bakes a lot of bread. A lot. One question that I get asked often from readers is whether or not Torte has a signature bread, and the answer of course, is yes! Torte’s signature bread is the stuff of childhood dreams. It’s light and airy and best served warm with a pat of butter and drizzled with hand-spun honey. Or cut it into thick slices and use it to make grilled cheese sandwiches. Trust me, you’ll never go back to store-bought bread after you’ve tasted this. Jules makes her signature bread in Caught Bread Handed, but you’ll find it in the pastry case at Torte every day. Like any good bread, this recipe includes rise time, be sure not to skip this step. Trust me it will be worth the wait!

If you haven’t entered my 12 Days of Cozy Bakes Giveaway yet, you can do so below the following recipe. Happy baking!

Torte Signature Bread

Ingredients:
1 package quick rise yeast
2 tbsps sugar
2 cups warm water
2 tbsps olive oil
1 tsp sea salt
6 – 6 ½ cups flour
2 tbsps butter—melted

Directions:
Heat oven to proof. If you don’t have a proof setting on your oven, heat to 200° F and turn the oven off. In an oven-save bowl combine yeast, sugar, and warm water. Let stand for five minutes. If you have an electric mixer, insert the dough hook, otherwise you can knead by hand and get a bonus arm workout. Add olive oil, salt, and two cups of the flour to the yeast. Mix together, continuing to add flour until a dough begins to form. Knead by hand or in mixer with dough hook for five to six minutes. Proof dough for 1 – 1 ½ hours in the oven. The dough should double in size.

Once the dough has proofed, coat two loaf pans with baking spray. Heat oven to 350° F. Divide the dough into two equal portions, form into loaves, and place in pans. Bake for 20-25 minutes or until loaves are golden brown. Remove from oven and brush with melted butter.