Mastering the Art of Subway-Style Bread Making

Have you ever wondered what gives Subway bread its unique flavor and texture? If so, you’re not alone. Many people find themselves craving the delicious, freshly-baked bread that’s a signature feature of this popular fast food chain. But what if you could recreate that irresistible Subway bread in your own kitchen? With a little bit of effort and some basic ingredients, you can. Here’s everything you need to know to make Subway bread at home.

The first step in making Subway bread is to gather your ingredients. You’ll need flour, sugar, salt, yeast, water, and oil. Mix them together, knead the dough, and let it rise until it’s doubled in size. Then, shape your bread and bake it in the oven until it’s golden brown. The whole process is relatively straightforward and can be completed by anyone with a little bit of baking experience. So go ahead, give it a try, and see if you can achieve that authentic Subway taste without ever leaving your house.

Making Subway bread might seem like a challenging venture, but with the right ingredients, tools and techniques, it can be relatively effortless and fun. This article presents you with a step-by-step guide on how to make subway bread at home, including tips and tricks to ensure that your bread turns out perfectly every time.

Ingredients and Equipment

To make subway bread, you’ll need a few essential ingredients, most of which you can get at your local grocery store. These include:

1. All-Purpose Flour
2. Yeast
3. Sugar
4. Salt
5. Water
6. Olive Oil
7. Cornmeal

The equipment required to make Subway bread includes a stand mixer with a dough hook, a large mixing bowl, measuring cups and spoons, and baking sheets.

Preparing the Dough

The first step to making Subway bread is preparing the dough. Here’s how:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine two cups of all-purpose flour, two teaspoons of sugar, one teaspoon of salt, and two and a quarter teaspoons of yeast.

2. In a separate bowl, mix two tablespoons of olive oil with three-quarters cups of warm water.

3. Slowly pour the wet ingredients into the dry ingredients while stirring continuously. Continue stirring until you get a smooth and elastic dough.

4. Gradually add more flour until you get a firm dough that is easy to knead.

Kneading the Dough

Kneading the dough is an essential step as it helps develop gluten and give the bread its characteristic texture. Here’s how to go about it:

1. Take the dough out of the mixing bowl and place it on a floured surface.

2. Knead the dough by folding it in half, pushing it forward with the heels of your hands, and repeating the process for 10 to 15 minutes.

3. Once you have a smooth, elastic and springy dough, shape it into a ball.

Rising the Dough

To rise the dough, you need to create a warm and moist environment that will help activate the yeast. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Lightly coat a large bowl with olive oil and place the dough inside.

2. Cover the bowl with a clean towel and place it in a warm place for an hour to rise. To facilitate rising, you can also place the dough in a warm oven.

Preparing the Bread for Baking

Once the dough has risen, it’s time to prepare it for baking. Here’s how:

1. Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.

2. Sprinkle cornmeal generously on two baking sheets to prevent the bread from sticking.

3. Punch down the dough and divide it into two equal parts.

4. Shape the dough into long and thin loaves that resemble subway bread.

Baking the Bread

Baking the bread is the final step, and it’s important to get it right to achieve a perfect outcome. Here’s what you need to do:

1. Place the loaves on the prepared baking sheets and score the top of the bread with a sharp knife or razor blade.

2. Bake the bread for 20 to 25 minutes until it turns golden brown.

3. Remove the bread from the oven and cool it for some minutes before serving.

Tips and Tricks

Here are some tips and tricks to keep in mind when making Subway bread:

1. Ensure that the yeast you use is fresh as expired yeast might result in a flat loaf.

2. Don’t overdo the kneading as it might result in tough and chewy bread.

3. Place a pan of water in the oven while baking to create steam that will help give the bread its characteristic crust.

Conclusion

Making Subway bread is fun and easy as long as you have the right ingredients, equipment and follow the correct procedure. With the tips and tricks provided above, you can now confidently bake a loaf of Subway bread to impress your family and friends. Happy baking!

The Ingredients for Subway Bread

When it comes to making Subway bread from scratch, you’ll need to gather all the necessary ingredients beforehand. In this section of our guide, we’ll walk you through the various ingredients you’ll need and the role they play in making your tasty Subway bread a reality.

1. Flour

Flour is the most important component when it comes to making bread. Ensure you purchase bread flour, as it has a higher gluten content than all-purpose flour. This gluten will give the bread a sturdy structure that will not crumble or fall apart. Apart from adding structure, bread flour also gives the bread a chewy texture.

2. Yeast

Yeast is the catalyst that makes the dough rise and yields the finished texture of the bread. Use active dry yeast for this recipe, and make sure it’s fresh and active. Yeast that is dead or inactive will result in flat bread that is hard and tough.

3. Salt

Salt gives the bread flavor. Apart from that, it helps to regulate the fermentation process which happens during the proofing and baking stages.

4. Sugar

Sugar doesn’t just sweeten the bread. It offers fuel for the yeast, aiding in the proofing process. It also promotes browning and aids in the crust formation of the finished bread.

5. Water

Water is crucial for creating the dough. It hydrates the flour, which helps the yeast to grow. Additionally, the water content affects the final texture of the bread.

6. Oil

Oil is an optional ingredient and is added mainly for flavor enhancement. However, it also helps to create a softer crumb texture.

7. Milk Powder

Milk Powder enhances the bread’s texture, and it also provides additional nutrients to the bread. It helps to create a soft and fluffy loaf of bread.

8. Cornmeal

Cornmeal is optional but offers an additional depth of flavor and texture to the finished bread. It is often sprinkled on the bottom of the bread pan to prevent sticking.

9. Additional flavoring

If you want to add additional flavor to your bread, you can add ingredients such as herbs, cheese, garlic, or other seasonings of your choice.

10. Water and egg wash

For the perfect crust, it is necessary to apply a water or egg wash before baking. It adds shine and helps the bread to brown evenly. Egg wash can yield a richer, darker color to your bread.

Ingredients for Subway Bread

Are you ready to create your very own Subway bread at home? First, let’s gather all the necessary ingredients.

Preparing the Dough

Now that we have all our ingredients, let’s move on to preparing the dough:

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the bread flour, salt, and sugar. Mix well.

2. In another bowl, combine the warm water and active dry yeast. Mix well and let it rest for 5-10 minutes until the mixture becomes frothy.

3. Add the yeast mixture to the flour mixture and mix using a spatula or a wooden spoon until a rough and shaggy dough is formed.

4. Transfer the dough onto a floured surface and knead for 10 minutes until it becomes smooth and elastic.

5. Place the dough in an oiled bowl and cover it with a damp cloth. Let it rise for 1 hour in a warm place until it doubles in size.

Shaping the Dough

1. Punch down the risen dough to release air bubbles. Turn out the dough onto a lightly floured surface.

2. Divide the dough into 6 equal portions and shape each portion into a long oblong shape that is approximately 10 inches in length.

3. Transfer the shaped dough onto a baking sheet covered with non-stick baking paper.

4. Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rest for another 15-20 minutes.

Baking the Bread

1. Preheat your oven to 210°C (410°F).

2. Bake the bread for 20-25 minutes or until the bread is golden brown and has a hollow sound when tapped.

3. Let the bread cool completely on a wire rack before slicing and serving.

Tips for Making Perfect Subway Bread

– Use bread flour instead of all-purpose flour for a chewier and denser texture.
– Make sure the yeast is fresh and not expired to ensure proper rising of the dough.
– Allow the dough to rise in a warm and draft-free location to promote optimal yeast activity.
– Score the bread before baking to achieve a uniform crust and to prevent the bread from bursting during baking.
– Let the bread cool completely before slicing to prevent it from becoming too dense.

Time to Bake!

Now that you know how to make Subway bread, it’s time to put your baking skills to the test. Whether you want to recreate your favorite sandwich bread or experiment with a new flavor, just remember to follow the recipe and trust the process. And if you have any questions along the way, feel free to do some more research or reach out to a baking expert. Thank you for reading this article, and we hope to see you again soon for more tips, tricks, and recipes!