Rich Golden Bread, Nine Ways

This recipe offers a rich and versatile dough that can be used to create a variety of delicious baked goods. Whether you’re craving a soft sandwich loaf, a coffee cake, or any other baked treat with a golden crumb and shiny crust, this dough is the perfect base. The possibilities are endless, and you can customize the flavor by adding your favorite ingredients or following the suggested variations in the book. With a few hours of mostly unattended time, you can enjoy the wonderful aroma and taste of homemade bread and pastries.

MAKES: 1 (huge) or 2 round loaves or 1 large sandwich loaf

TIME: At least 3 hours, largely unattended

INGRDIENTS:

• 3 1/2 cups all-purpose or bread flour, plus more as needed
• 2 teaspoons instant yeast
• 2 teaspoons salt
• 1 tablespoon sugar
• 2 tablespoons cold butter
• 2 eggs
• About 1 cup milk, preferably whole
• Softened butter for greasing the pans
• Melted butter for brushing the loaves

INSTRUCTIONS:

1. In a food processor, combine the flour, yeast, salt, sugar, and cold butter. Pulse the machine on and off until the butter is evenly distributed but not completely blended in.
2. Add the eggs and pulse a few more times. With the machine running, slowly pour in 3/4 cup of the milk through the feed tube. Process for about 30 seconds until the mixture forms a ball that is slightly sticky to the touch. If the dough is too dry, add a tablespoon or two of milk and process for another 10 seconds. If it’s too sticky, add a little flour.
3. Transfer the dough onto a floured work surface and knead it gently by hand. This is the time to incorporate any additional ingredients if desired. Form the dough into a smooth, round ball and place it in a bowl. Cover the bowl with plastic wrap and let the dough rise for 1 to 2 hours, or until it doubles in size. If you’re in a hurry, you can shorten the rising time, or you can let it rise slowly in the refrigerator for up to 6 or 8 hours. Alternatively, you can freeze the dough for up to a month.
4. Once the dough has risen, divide it into 1 or 2 pieces if desired, or leave it whole. Shape each piece into a round ball and place them on a lightly floured surface. Cover them with plastic wrap or a towel and let them rest for about 20 minutes, allowing them to puff slightly.
5. Pinch the bottom of each ball to seal the seam. Butter 1 or 2 shallow baking dishes or cake pans that can comfortably hold the loaves. The dough should not completely fill the pans yet. Cover and let the dough rise for 1 to 2 hours, or until it rises over the sides of the pans.
6. Preheat the oven to 350°F and place a rack in the middle. Brush the top of the loaf or loaves with melted butter. Bake for approximately 40 minutes, until the crust is golden brown and the internal temperature reaches at least 210°F on an instant-read thermometer.
7. Immediately remove the bread from the dishes or pans and cool them on a wire rack. Use a serrated knife to slice the bread, as it will have a rich and delicate texture.

VARIATIONS:

• Rich Golden Rolls: Instead of shaping the dough into a loaf or loaves, divide it into 16 medium or 24 small balls. Place them on greased or parchment-lined baking sheets and let them rise for about an hour. Bake for 20 to 30 minutes, depending on the size of the rolls.
• Rich Golden Sandwich Bread: Grease a 9×5-inch loaf pan and shape the dough into a large rectangle. Fold it under and seal the seam to create a loaf shape. Proceed with the recipe, adjusting the baking time as needed.
• Saffron Fruit-and-Nut Bread: Add a large pinch of saffron threads to the flour mixture. While the dough is rising, soak 1 cup of dried fruit in brandy, rum, or apple juice for 30 minutes. Drain the fruit and knead it, along with 1/2 cup of chopped almonds, pecans, or walnuts, into the dough as directed.
• Cocoa Swirl Bread: In addition to the main recipe, sprinkle a cocoa-sugar mixture over the rectangle of dough before rolling it up and shaping it into a loaf. Proceed with the recipe as usual.
• Poppy Seed Swirl Bread: Replace the cinnamon-sugar mixture in the Cocoa Swirl Bread variation with a combination of 3/4 cup prune paste and 1/4 cup poppy seeds. Spread it over the dough before rolling and shaping.
• Cinnamon Buns: Spread a mixture of ground cinnamon and sugar over the rectangle of dough, roll it up, and slice it into pieces. Place the slices in a baking dish or muffin tin and bake according to the recipe.
• Orange Date Buns: Combine brown sugar, chopped pitted dates, orange zest, melted butter, and chopped pistachios or almonds. Sprinkle this mixture over the dough, roll it up, slice, and bake.
• Bacon-Cheddar Buns: Cook and crumble bacon and grate cheddar cheese. Sprinkle them over the dough in place of cinnamon sugar, roll it up, slice, and bake.

With this versatile dough recipe, you can unleash your creativity and bake a variety of delicious treats. From traditional loaves to sweet rolls and savory buns, the options are endless. Enjoy the process of creating homemade baked goods and savor the delightful flavors and textures that come from using this rich dough.