How do I Punch and Bake Bread?
- 1). Mix and knead your bread dough according to the recipe you are using.
- 2). Place the dough in an large bowl coated with a thin layer of oil. You can use any type of cooking oil for this purpose.
- 3). Cover the bread dough with a clean, damp towel and place the bowl in a warm spot to rise. Generally, you allow the dough to rise for one hour or until it is doubled in size.
- 4). Uncover the dough and punch straight down into the center of the dough with your fist. The dough will flatten and appear smaller, which is normal.
- 5). Cover the dough again and allow it to rise back up to the same size it was before you punched it down. Some bread recipes will not require a second rising time.
- 6). Form the bread dough into a cylinder slightly longer than your bread pan.
- 7). Fold the ends of the cylinder underneath to create smooth sides and place it in a greased bread pan.
- 8). Bake your bread at the temperature indicated in your original recipe. This temperature may range from 350 degrees F to 450 degrees F.
- 9). Remove the bread from the oven when the crust is browned to your liking. Martha Stewart recommends inserting a thermometer into the center of the loaf to make sure it is fully cooked. When the center of the bread is 190 degrees F, it is done baking.
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