Homemade Delicious Tiger Bread Recipe
There’s something uniquely gratifying about crafting your own bread at home. The aroma that fills the kitchen, the rhythmic kneading of dough, and the anticipation of a freshly baked loaf—these simple pleasures make homemade bread baking an experience to savor.
Tiger Bread, renowned for its crackled crust and soft interior, embodies the delight of artisanal bread-making. Let’s embark on this culinary adventure and create our own batch of this deliciously crunchy delight right in our kitchen!
Equipment:
- Mixing bowls
- Whisk or electric mixer with a dough hook attachment
- Baking sheet
- Parchment paper or silicone baking mat
- Pastry brush
Ingredients:
For the Bread:
- 500g (4 cups) bread flour
- 7g (2 1/4 tsp) instant yeast
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp salt
- 250ml (1 cup) warm water
For the Crunchy Topping:
- 50g (1/4 cup) rice flour
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp yeast
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 100ml (1/3 cup + 1 tbsp) warm water
Method:
- Prepare the Dough:
- In a large mixing bowl, combine bread flour, instant yeast, sugar, and salt.
- Slowly add warm water while stirring until the dough comes together.
- Knead the dough on a lightly floured surface for about 8-10 minutes until it’s smooth and elastic. Alternatively, you can use an electric mixer with a dough hook attachment.
- Place the dough in a lightly oiled bowl, cover it with a clean kitchen towel, and let it rise in a warm place for about 1-1.5 hours, or until doubled in size.
- Preheat Oven:
- Preheat your oven to 200°C (400°F). Line a baking sheet with parchment paper or a silicone baking mat.
- Prepare the Topping:
- In a separate bowl, mix together rice flour, sugar, yeast, vegetable oil, and warm water to form a thick paste.
- Shape the Dough:
- Once the dough has risen, punch it down and divide it into desired portions for bread loaves or rolls.
- Shape the portions into balls or loaves and place them on the prepared baking sheet, leaving space between each one.
- Apply the Topping:
- Using a pastry brush or spoon, generously spread the topping mixture over the top of each portion of dough. Cover the entire surface evenly.
- Bake:
- Place the baking sheet in the preheated oven and bake for 20-25 minutes or until the bread turns golden brown, and the crust cracks and looks crunchy.
- Cool and Serve:
- Once baked, transfer the tiger bread to a wire rack to cool completely before slicing. Enjoy it fresh with butter, or use it for sandwiches or toast.
Tips:
- Ensure the water used in the dough is warm but not too hot as it can kill the yeast.
- For a more pronounced crunch, you can apply two coats of the topping mixture, allowing the first coat to dry slightly before applying the second.
- Experiment with the shapes and sizes of the loaves or rolls for different presentation options.
- Store leftover tiger bread in an airtight container to preserve its freshness.