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Fueled by a desire to recreate the bakery-style loaves that seemed so elusive to make at home. Then I stumbled upon King Arthur Baking Company’s “The Easiest Loaf of Bread You’ll Ever Bake.” Skeptical but intrigued, I decided to give this King Arthur Bread a go. This experience not only demystified bread baking for me but also sparked a passion I hadn’t anticipated. Now, with several loaves (and a few baking mishaps) under my belt, I can vouch for the difference a great recipe and high-quality ingredients can make.
Table of Contents
How to make King Arthur Bread
King Arthur Bread is a well-known brand primarily recognized for its high-quality flour and baking products. King Arthur Baking Company is one of the oldest flour companies in the United States, founded in 1790. It is highly respected in the baking community for its commitment to quality, consistency, and promoting home baking.
Ingredients
- 3 cups (360g) King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
- 1 cup (227g) lukewarm water
- 2 tablespoons (28g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2 tablespoons (25g) sugar
- 1¼ teaspoons (8g) salt
- 1 tablespoon (9g) instant yeast or active dry yeast
Instructions
- Prep the Yeast (for active dry yeast users): If you’re using active dry yeast, dissolve it in lukewarm water with a pinch of sugar. Let it sit for about 10 minutes or until frothy. Instant yeast users can skip this step and mix the yeast directly with the dry ingredients.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl (or the bowl of a stand mixer), whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt. Add the softened butter, the yeast-water mixture (for active dry yeast), or the yeast and the lukewarm water (for instant yeast). Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
- Knead the Dough: Knead the dough, either by hand on a lightly floured surface or with a dough hook in a stand mixer, for about 6-8 minutes. You’re aiming for a soft, smooth dough that’s slightly tacky but not sticky.
- First Rise: Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly greased bowl. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free area for 1 to 2 hours or until it has doubled in size.
- Shape the Loaf: Gently deflate the dough and shape it into an 8″ log. Place the log in a greased 8.5″ x 4.5″ bread pan. Cover the pan and let the dough rise for the second time, about 1 to 1½ hours, or until it crowns about 1″ above the rim of the pan.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Uncover the bread and bake it for about 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. The bread is done when it sounds hollow if tapped on the bottom and registers an internal temperature of 190°F (88°C) on a digital thermometer.
- Cool: Remove the bread from the oven, and after a couple of minutes, turn it out of the pan onto a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
Baking Tips
- Measuring Flour: Always spoon the flour into the measuring cup and level it off with a knife. Over-measuring flour is a common mistake that can lead to dense bread.
- Water Temperature: Lukewarm water should feel slightly warm to the touch, about 110°F (43°C). Too hot and the yeast can die; too cold and it won’t activate.
- Proofing Environment: If your kitchen is chilly, place the dough in an off oven with the light on for warmth. You can also use a microwave by heating a cup of water till boiling inside it first, then placing the dough in the warm, steamy microwave (turned off).
- Slashing the Top: Before baking, feel free to make a shallow slash about 1/4-inch deep down the center of the loaf with a sharp knife or lame. This helps control the direction the bread expands as it bakes.
What to serve with
With its soft texture and delightful taste, King Arthur Bread is a versatile bread that can accompany a vast array of dishes and be used in several ways.
Breakfast
- Toast: Simply toasted with butter, jams, honey, or nut butter.
- French Toast: Dip slices in a mixture of beaten eggs, milk, vanilla, and cinnamon, then fry until golden brown. Serve with maple syrup or powdered sugar.
- Egg Sandwich: Use it to make a classic bacon, egg, and cheese sandwich or a more gourmet option with avocado, tomato, and a drizzle of hot sauce.
Lunch
- Sandwiches: King Arthur Bread is ideal for both cold and grilled sandwiches. Fill it with deli meat, cheese, lettuce, and tomato or make a tuna, chicken, or egg salad sandwich.
- Soup Companion: Serve a hearty slice with your favorite soups, from classic tomato to creamy chowders.
- Panini: Turn it into a Panini pressed with various meats, cheeses, and vegetables.
Dinner
- Bread Pudding: Use the bread as a base for a savory bread pudding made with cheese, vegetables, and custard.
- Garlic Bread: Brush slices with butter, minced garlic, and parsley and broil until crispy.
- Breadcrumbs: Leftover or stale bread can be turned into homemade breadcrumbs and used for breading, meatballs, or casseroles.
Appetizers & Snacks
- Bruschetta: For a fresh appetizer, top toasted slices with tomatoes, basil, garlic, olive oil, and balsamic vinegar.
- Croutons: Cut into cubes, toss with olive oil herbs, and bake until crispy for a salad or soup topping.
- Tea Sandwiches: For high tea or appetizers, make elegant, crustless sandwiches with cucumber, smoked salmon, or cream cheese fillings.
Desserts
- Bread and Butter Pudding: Combine bread with milk, sugar, eggs, and raisins, and bake until set for a sweet dessert.
- Crust for Pies and Cheesecakes: Ground up, it can be mixed with melted butter to create a pie or cheesecake crust.
Ingredients Substitutes
King Arthur Bread typically refers to bread made with flour from King Arthur Baking Company, known for its quality and consistency.
Flour
- Whole Wheat Flour: For a heartier, more nutritious bread, you can replace all or part of the all-purpose flour with whole wheat flour.
- Bread Flour: If you want a chewier texture with a higher rise, use bread flour, which has more protein than all-purpose flour.
- Gluten-Free Flour Mix: King Arthur Baking Company offers a gluten-free all-purpose flour for those who need to avoid gluten. Other brands also have similar products, but results can vary based on the blend.
Water
- Milk: Substitute water with milk or a milk alternative (soy, almond, oat milk) for a richer, softer loaf with a browner crust.
- Buttermilk: Offers a slightly tangy flavor and tender texture to the bread.
- Beer: Some recipes can use beer instead of water for a different flavour profile.
Yeast
- Instant Yeast: If the recipe calls for active dry yeast, instant (or rapid rise) yeast can be used in a 1:1 ratio but doesn’t need proofing in water first.
- Sourdough Starter: For a naturally leavened bread, replace commercial yeast with an active sourdough starter, though this will change the flavor and preparation method considerably.
Salt
- Sea Salt: If the recipe calls for table salt, you can use sea salt for a potentially better flavor; note that the crystal size can affect measuring so you might need to adjust the amount.
- Kosher Salt: Kosher salt can also be used, but like with sea salt, adjustments may be required due to crystal size differences.
Sugar
- Honey: Instead of sugar, try honey which offers more moisture and a slightly different taste.
- Maple Syrup: Another natural sweetener that can bring a unique flavor.
- Agave Syrup: A vegan sweetener option that is sweeter than sugar, so you’ll need to use less.
Oil or Fats
- Unsalted Butter: If the recipe calls for oil, you can substitute the same amount of melted butter for a richer flavor.
- Coconut Oil: A dairy-free, flavorful substitute for butter or other oils.
- Applesauce: For a lower-fat option, use applesauce. This can change the texture of the bread, making it denser and moister.
Eggs
- Flax or Chia Seeds: For a vegan substitute, mix 1 tablespoon of ground flaxseed or chia seeds with 3 tablespoons of water for each egg called for in the recipe.
- Silken Tofu: Pureed silken tofu can act as a binder like eggs.
Final Thoughts
With its delightful taste and texture, King Arthur Bread is the perfect canvas for a multiplicity of dishes.
More Bread Recipes:
- Copycat Trader Joe’s Sourdough Bread Recipe
- Blueberry Fluffy Cottage Cheese Bread Recipe
- Outdoor Boys Bread Recipe
Ingredients
- 3 cups (360g) King Arthur Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
- 1 cup (227g) lukewarm water
- 2 tablespoons (28g) unsalted butter, room temperature
- 2 tablespoons (25g) sugar
- 1¼ teaspoons (8g) salt
- 1 tablespoon (9g) instant yeast or active dry yeast
Instructions
- Prep the Yeast (for active dry yeast users): If you're using active dry yeast, dissolve it in lukewarm water with a pinch of sugar. Let it sit for about 10 minutes or until frothy. Instant yeast users can skip this step and mix the yeast directly with the dry ingredients.
- Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl (or the bowl of a stand mixer), whisk together the flour, sugar, and salt. Add the softened butter, the yeast-water mixture (for active dry yeast), or the yeast and the lukewarm water (for instant yeast). Mix until a shaggy dough forms.
- Knead the Dough: Knead the dough, either by hand on a lightly floured surface or with a dough hook in a stand mixer, for about 6-8 minutes. You're aiming for a soft, smooth dough that's slightly tacky but not sticky.
- First Rise: Shape the dough into a ball and place it in a lightly greased bowl. Cover the bowl with a clean kitchen towel or plastic wrap. Let the dough rise in a warm, draft-free area for 1 to 2 hours or until it has doubled in size.
- Shape the Loaf: Gently deflate the dough and shape it into an 8" log. Place the log in a greased 8.5" x 4.5" bread pan. Cover the pan and let the dough rise for the second time, about 1 to 1½ hours, or until it crowns about 1" above the rim of the pan.
- Bake: Preheat your oven to 350°F (177°C). Uncover the bread and bake it for about 30-35 minutes or until golden brown. The bread is done when it sounds hollow if tapped on the bottom and registers an internal temperature of 190°F (88°C) on a digital thermometer.
- Cool: Remove the bread from the oven, and after a couple of minutes, turn it out of the pan onto a wire rack to cool completely before slicing.
