Easy Bake Homemade Bread Packets

Here's two examples of easy bake flour that you just add water to. A great way to start baking your own homemade bread.

Step 1: Baking Ingredients

I've started with Wrights Parmesan and Sun Dried Tomato Bread.

All you'll need is a large mixing bowl, wooden or plastic spoon to mix the dough and 315ml of tepid water.

Step 2: Dough Mixing

I've emptied the flour into the mixing bowl and made a well in the center where I've started to pour the water and using the wooden spoon started to mix the ingredients.

Step 3: Dough Ball

As you add more water mixing the ever increasing ball of dough becomes difficult, so put the spoon down and get your hand in to finish the mixing and to form a dough ball like the pic.

It should take about 5 mins to mix the dough to this stage.

Step 4: Kneading and Baking Tray

Leave the dough for 5 mins, knead for 2 mins (on a floured surface) leave for further 5 mins then shape and place on a greased baking tray.

Cover with a damp cloth and leave to rise in a warm place for 30-40 mins.

Step 5: Rising Dough

The dough should be double in size now (compare the photos here). Now remove the damp cloth and pop it in a preheated oven on 230c or 210c for fan assisted or gas mark 8 for 30 mins.

Step 6: Cool Bread

After 30 mins take your bread out and it should look like this. Carefully tap the bottom of the bread (it will sound hollow if its cooked properly).

You can see I've pop a wire rack under the bread to allow the bottom to cool easier.

Step 7: Sliced Homemade Bread.

Once cool cut a few slices off using a bread knife and give yourself a pat on the back for making your first homemeade bread.

I think I should have waited a bit longer before slicing to allow it to cool thoroughly but I couldn't help myself.

Step 1: Ingredients and Equipment

Here's a ready mix Crusty Wholemeal bread mix from Tescos. Just add water, mix to a dough, let it rise and pop it in the oven.

You'll need, the ready made packet, 350ml of warm water, a large bowl, fork and some additional flour.

The packet says ideal for loaves, rolls and pizza bases.

Step2: Mix the Dough

The instructions call for 350ml of warm water to be added to the mix and made to a dough, mixing the dough should take around five minutes. I've used a fork to start and got my hands in when the dough ball got too large.

You'll need some flour for your hands and for rolling the dough ball out later.

Step3: The finished Dough

After you've made the dough ball, leave it to rest for 5 mins, knead it for 2 mins ans leave for another 5 mins.

Do some cleaning up while your waiting.

Step 4: Greased Baking Tray

Pop the wholemeal dough on a greased baking tray or in a bread tin and sprinkle with flour then cover with a damp cloth and pop it in a warm place for 30-40 mins until it's doubled in size.

You'll need to preheat the oven to 230c or gas mark 8 too.

Step 5: Wholemeal: Rise of the Dough

Wow, the dough has doubled in size. It's definately a grower.

Pop it in the oven 230c (gas mark 8) for 30 mins and bake till it's golden brown.

Step 6: Homemade Crusty Wholemeal Loaf.

Here's my final loaf. It should sound hollow when tapped on the bottom.

This looks a bit overdone to me, cook it a bit less than 30mins if you're using a fan oven like I was.

Step 7: Slice and Serve

Wait for your loaf to cool before slicing with a bread knife.

It's ok to freeze these products if you can't eat it all.

Step 1: Ingredients and Equipment

To make chinese steamed buns you'll need:

• 450g Self Raising Flour
• 175g Sugar
• 225ml Warm water or milk
• 25g Lard

A large mixing bowl, kitchen scales and a steamer.

Step 2: Dough Mixing

Weigh out the ingredients and place them all into the large mixing bowl. Mix to for a smooth dough and knead on a floured surface for 5 mins.

I found this dough quite wet and sticky compared to the the other doughs I've mixed.

Step 3: Raise in a warm place

Pop a wet tea towel over the dough ball and place in a warm spot for around an hour to raise.

I'm not sure if my 'warm place' was warm enough but my dough didn't rise much if at all.

Step 4: Buns, Buns, Buns

After an hour of rising take the dough and knead for a further 5 mins, using more flour if the dough is sticky.

Stretch the dough into an 18" roll and cut it up into 16 small pieces.

Step 5: Roll your Buns

Roll the 16 chunks of dough into bun shapes ready for the steamer.

Step 6: Steam, Steam, Steam.

Pop the buns onto some baking paper and place them into a steamer for around 25mins.

Step 7: Enjoy your Chinese Steamed Buns

Here's the chinese steamed buns out of the steamer, cooling ready to eat.

They're quite sweet and lovely dipped in chinese chilli sauce.