Whole Grain Toast Bread

INSTRUCTIONS

• 1
  Whole grain baked goods tend to be drier due to whole grain flour, so in this recipe, we will use the Tangzhong method, where we lock more liquid into the dough thanks to a paste created by mixing flour and milk. Mix with a whisk and cook. A paste will form, which we let cool to room temperature.
• 2
  Meanwhile, prepare the starter by mixing lukewarm milk, yeast, and flour. Place in a warm spot and let it rise to double its size for 10 - 15 minutes. Meanwhile, the paste will cool, and we can start making the dough.
• 3
  Place the Tangzhong, starter, and all other ingredients except butter into the bowl of a mixer and start kneading. In the first minute, the dough may seem like it needs more liquid, but resist adding any. The ingredients will combine, and after adding the butter, the dough's consistency will be ideal. Knead on the first speed for 5 minutes.
• 4
  Then add the butter cut into pieces and knead on the second speed for another 5 minutes. The dough is slightly sticky. Use a spatula or pastry scraper to scrape the dough from the sides of the bowl.
• 5
  Let the kneaded dough rise in the bowl covered with a towel in a warm place for 45 minutes. Then gently mix the dough to release almost all bubbles and let it rise for another 45 minutes.
• 6
  Grease a 22 x 12 cm baking form with butter or line it with baking paper.
• 7
  Dust the work surface with plain flour and use a spatula or scraper to remove the dough from the bowl. Form a square from the dough, folding the sides inward. The width of the dough should be slightly less than the width of your form. Roll the dough towards you. Press the end of the dough and place it in the form seam side down.
• 8
  Spray the dough with water, cover it, or place it in a bag and let it rise for about 1.5 hours in a warm place.
• 9
  Preheat the oven to the top and bottom heating elements approximately 15-20 minutes in advance to ensure the oven is ready in time. Set to 220 °C.
• 10
  Brush the risen bread with milk, place it in the oven, and bake for 10 minutes, then reduce the temperature to 180 °C and bake for approximately 20 minutes. When using a probe thermometer, the internal temperature should reach 93 °C.
• 11
  After baking, let it stand for a few minutes, then remove it from the form and let it cool on a rack.