Butterflake Herb Loaf

 

This loaf is tender and buttery, perfect for a special occasion bread basket.

Butterflake Herb Loaf

Yield: 20 servings.

Ingredients:

   Dough

•     1 cup milk
•     1/4 cup butter
•     3 tablespoons sugar
•     2 teaspoons salt
•     2 large eggs
•     2 teaspoons instant yeast or active dry yeast
•     4 1/4 to 4 3/4 cups Unbleached All-Purpose Flour
•     2 tablespoons potato flour

   Butter Herb Filling

•     1/2 cup (8 tablespoons) unsalted butter, soft
•     1/2 teaspoon caraway or chopped fennel seed
•     1/2 teaspoon dried basil
•     1 teaspoon grated onion or chopped chives
•     1/4 teaspoon oregano
•     1/2 teaspoon salt
•     1/4 teaspoon cayenne pepper
•     1 clove garlic, minced

Directions

1. Bring the milk to a simmer and pour over the butter, in a mixing bowl or the pan of your bread machine. Add the sugar and salt, and let the mixture cool to lukewarm.
2. When the liquid is tepid (110°F for instant yeast, 120°F for active dry), add the eggs, yeast, 3 1/2 cups of flour, and the potato flour and begin mixing the dough.
3. After the dough comes together and has mixed for 3 minutes, touch the dough to test its consistency. If wet dough comes off on your finger, add more flour 2 tablespoons at a time, mixing between additions until it's incorporated.
4. Once the dough is smooth and soft, not sticky, let the bread machine finish its cycle, or place the dough in a greased container, cover, and let rise for 1 hour.
5. While the dough is rising, place the herb butter ingredients in a bowl and mix to combine.
6. After the dough has risen, deflate it and roll it out on a floured surface 1/2" thick. Cut in 3 1/2" to 4" circles with a cutter or English muffin ring.
7. Butter half of each circle, fold in half, and place in a 12" x 4" x 2 1/2" tea loaf pan, or two 8 1/2 x 4" bread pans. Cover with greased plastic and let rise for 30 to 40 minutes.
8. Butter the scraps and stack them on top each other on a baking sheet. Cover with greased plastic and let rise for 30 to 40 minutes.
9. Bake the scraps in preheated 350°F oven for 22 to 24 minutes.
10. Bake the loaf in a preheated 350°F oven for 25 to 30 minutes. A ceramic loaf pan will take 5 to 7 minutes longer to bake than a metal one; tent with foil for the last 15 minutes of baking if necessary to keep the top from over-browning.

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