White Breads: Three Multipurpose Variations

Name: White Breads: Three Multipurpose Variations
Ingredients: 4 3/4 cups (21.5 ounces) unbleached bread flour; 1 1/2 teaspoons (.38 ounce) salt; 1/4 cup (1.33 ounces) powdered milk (DMS); 3 1/4 tablespoons (1.66 ounces) sugar; 2 teaspoons (.22 ounce) instant yeast; 1 large (1.65 ounces) egg, slightly beaten, at room temperature; 3 1/4 tablespoons (1.66 ounces) butter, margarine, or shortening, melted or at room temperature; 1 1/2 cups plus 1 table-spoon to 1 3/4 cups (13 to 14 ounces) water, at room temperature; 1 egg, whisked with 1 teaspoon water until frothy, for egg wash (optional); Sesame or poppy seeds for garnish (optional); (makes two 1-pound loaves, 18 dinner rolls, or 12 burger or hot dog buns); 4 1/4 cups (19 ounces) unbleached bread flour; 1 1/2 teaspoons (.38 ounce) salt; 3 tablespoons (1.5 ounces) sugar; 2 teaspoons (.22 ounce) instant yeast; 1 large (1.65 ounces) egg, slightly beaten, at room temperature; 1/4 cup (2 ounces) butter, margarine, or shortening, at room temperature, or vegetable oil; 1 1/2 cups (12 ounces) buttermilk or whole milk, at room temperature; (makes two 1-pound loaves, 18 dinner rolls, or 12 burger or hot dog buns); Sponge:; 2 1/2 cups (11.25 ounces) unbleached bread flour; 2 teaspoons (.22 ounce) instant yeast; 1 1/4 cups (12 ounces) whole milk, lukewarm (90° to 100°F); Dough:; 1 2/3 cups (7.5 ounces) unbleached bread flour; 1 1/2 teaspoons (.38 ounce) salt; 3 tablespoons (1.5 ounces) sugar; 1 large (.65 ounces) egg yolk, slightly beaten, at room temperature; 1/4 cup (2 ounces) butter, margarine, or shortening, melted or at room temperature, or vegetable oil; (makes two 1-pound loaves, 18 dinner rolls, or 12 burger or hot dog buns)

January 26, 2012

White bread is known under many names, including pullman, milk dough, pain de mie (bread of the crumb), and just plain old white bread. It has many uses, including dinner and knotted rolls, sandwich bread, burger buns, and hot dog buns. This style of dough is often referred to as milk dough because in most versions the hydration is primarily from fresh milk (or powdered milk and water). These white breads fall into the category of enriched breads, as they are made with the most often used natural dough conditioners: fat (butter or oil), sugar, and milk. These cause the crust to caramelize quickly and, when fermented correctly, give the finished bread a light-as-air quality with a very soft texture. The internal temperature need only reach just above 180°F for rolls and 185° to 190°F for loaves. Because of the enrichments, it is best to bake full-sized loaves at 350°F and small rolls at 400°F, but never at 450°F, as you would with lean hearth breads. The three variations that follow give you some flexibility regarding ingredients. You may substitute powdered milk (DMS) for the liquid milk and vice versa, and you may also substitute in equal measure low-fat milk, buttermilk, or skim milk for the whole milk. Making these substitutions will affect the final outcome slightly in both flavor and texture, so try making the breads with the variations and see which version you prefer (I tend to be a buttermilk guy). You can also freely substitute margarine or shortening or even liquid oil for the butter. Again, the type of fat you use will affect flavor and texture, but they all tenderize the bread. Shortening gives the softest texture, butter the best flavor.

Recipe notes