Everyday MealsDurban Indian

White Bread Loaf

Make authentic White Bread Loaf with this foolproof recipe. Packed with rich traditional flavor, step-by-step photos, and cooking tips by Denisiya on EatMee Recipes.

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By DenisiyaPublished on April 17, 2020
White Bread Loaf
⏱️
Prep Time25 mins
🍳
Cook Time120 mins
⌛
Total Time145 mins
🍽️
ServingsMakes 1 Loaf
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This Recipe Makes 1 Loaf

White Bread Loaf are a staple in most countries. Most people prefer white bread as compared to brown or whole wheat. This recipe is fairly simple & tastes delicious. It also does not contain any eggs.

This white bread is also perfect for sandwiches or bunny chows (A Durban creation of hollowed out bread filled with curry).

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Ingredients

Scale:
Base Yield: Makes 1 Loaf
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Step-by-Step Instructions

29 Steps
  1. Step 1

    Add the flour to a mixing bowl.

    Step 1 visual guide
  2. Step 2

    Thereafter, add in the butter.

    Step 2 visual guide
  3. Step 3

    Rub the butter into the flour using your fingertips. It should resemble breadcrumbs.

    Step 3 visual guide
  4. Step 4

    Add in the yeast, salt & the sugar. I have used instant yeast, so no need to bloom it first.

    Step 4 visual guide
  5. Step 5

    Mix well.

    Step 5 visual guide
  6. Step 6

    Pour in the lukewarm milk & lukewarm water.

    Step 6 visual guide
  7. Step 7

    Mix with a spoon & then with your hands until it forms a dough.

    Step 7 visual guide
  8. Step 8

    Place dough onto a floured surface.

    Step 8 visual guide
  9. Step 9

    Knead for 10 minutes. The longer it is kneaded, the softer it will be.

    Step 9 visual guide
  10. Step 10

    Lightly oil a bowl & pat excess oil onto the dough so it does not dry up. Place the dough into the bowl.

    Step 10 visual guide
  11. Step 11

    Cover with cling/plastic wrap & leave in a dark place to rest for 1 hour or more. I usually pop it in a turned off oven or microwave.

    Step 11 visual guide
  12. Step 12

    After an hour, the dough should double in size.

    Step 12 visual guide
  13. Step 13

    Punch down dough.

    Step 13 visual guide
  14. Step 14

    Shape the dough into a cylindrical form & pop it into a lightly greased loaf pan.

    Step 14 visual guide
  15. Step 15

    Cover with a dish towel & allow to rest for 30 minutes.

    Step 15 visual guide
  16. Step 16

    Preheat oven to 180° Celsius or 356° Fahrenheit.

  17. Step 17

    After 30 minutes of resting the dough, it should be nice & puffy, taking the form of the loaf pan.

    Step 17 visual guide
  18. Step 18

    Bake in the preheated oven for 25-30 minutes until golden.

    Step 18 visual guide
  19. Step 19

    Turn out the White Bread Loaf from the loaf pan.

    Step 19 visual guide
  20. Step 20

    Brush over melted butter or water on the loaf & cover for a few minutes with a dish towel for a softer crust.

    Step 20 visual guide
  21. Step 21

    Or enjoy with a slather of butter.

    Step 21 visual guide
  22. Step 22

    This White Bread Loaf may also be cut into halves – perfect for making bunny chows.

    Step 22 visual guide
  23. Step 23

    For the bunny chow, simply take one half of the loaf & use a knife to cut out a square shape in the fluffy white part of the bread. Thereafter, use your fingers to scoop & pull out that piece of bread. Fill with a curry of your choice. I chose to fill it with Sugar Beans (Pinto Beans) Curry.

    Step 23 visual guide
  24. Step 24

    This White Bread Loaf can alternatively be halved into two loaf pans to create two thinner loaves. After resting the dough, simply divide it into two portions.

    Step 24 visual guide
  25. Step 25

    Place them into two lightly greased loaf pans, cover & allow to proof for 30 minutes as done above with just the one loaf.

    Step 25 visual guide
  26. Step 26

    Bake them for 20-25 minutes in the preheated oven.

    Step 26 visual guide
  27. Step 27

    Turn them over & enjoy as preferred.

    Step 27 visual guide
  28. Step 28

    These thinner loaves may also be used for bunny chows by cutting of the tops rather than in halves.

    Step 28 visual guide
  29. Step 29

    Fill with a curry of your choice – I filled mine with Mutton/Lamb Curry.

    Step 29 visual guide
Video Tutorial

Watch How It's Made

Follow along with Denisiya's step-by-step video guide for White Bread Loaf.

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Frequently Asked Questions & Cooking Tips

Expert kitchen guidance and troubleshooting for making the best White Bread Loaf

What is the secret to making soft rotis that stay soft for hours?

The golden secret is kneading the flour with boiling hot water, which pre-gelatinizes the starches. Roll thin, cook on a hot tawa with a light brush of butter or ghee, and stack inside a covered container wrapped in a clean kitchen cloth.

Can I freeze the roti dough or cooked rotis?

Yes! Cooked rotis freeze exceptionally well. Place sheets of wax paper between each cooked roti, wrap in foil or a zip-top bag, and freeze for up to 2 months. Reheat directly on a hot pan for 30 seconds.

Why did my rotis turn out stiff or hard?

Stiff rotis are caused by rolling the dough with too much dry flour, rolling too thick, or cooking on too low heat for too long, which dries out the moisture. Cook on medium-high heat quickly.

Denisiya - Founder & Chef at EatMee Recipes
About the Creator

Meet Denisiya

Hi, I'm Denisiya! Food lover, recipe developer, and founder of EatMee Recipes. I specialize in authentic South African Durban Indian cuisine, comforting curries, and modern Instant Pot adaptations. Every recipe on this site is tested in my personal kitchen to ensure you get mouth-watering, foolproof results every time.

Comments & Community

2

Have you tried this recipe or have questions for Denisiya? Join the conversation below.

A
Abri De Swardt

That’s a lot of salt!

D
DenisiyaRecipe Creator

Not really….you do not end up with salty bread lol. These amounts work well for me but feel free to adjust to your preference.

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