✤450g bread flour
✤7g packet fast-acting yeast
✤40g butter, melted
✤1 tsp salt
✤300 mL warm water (110°-120°F)
✤1 egg, beaten
❖Measure all ingredients into a mixing bowl and combine until it comes together as a dough. Knead on a floured work surface or use a mixer fitted with a dough hook about 4-5 min, until you have a fairly sticky, soft dough. Transfer to a large oiled bowl, cover tightly with plastic wrap (make sure no air can escape) and leave to rise in a warm place for 60-90 min, or until dough has doubled in size.
❖Tip dough out onto a floured work surface and knock back by hand until smooth. Cut off a quarter of the dough and shape into a round ball. Shape remaining dough into a large ball and place on a baking tray lined with parchment paper or silicone. Set the small ball on top of the large one. Flour the handle of a wooden spoon and push the handle through the center of the two balls until you hit the baking tray, then remove handle carefully.
❖Slide baking tray into a large plastic bag so the dough & tray are completely covered. Seal the end of the bag completely. Leave to proof in a warm place 35-45 min or until doubled in size.
❖Preheat oven to 425°F (220°C).
❖Remove plastic, brush dough with the beaten egg and slide into oven to bake 20-25 min, until golden and bread sounds hollow when tapped on bottom. Leave to cool on wire rack.
