Ingredients in White Bread

White bread is the simplest of all bread recipes. At its core are four ingredients. White flour, water, salt and yeast are all that's needed to bake a loaf of white bread. Each ingredient plays a distinct role, and eliminating any one would deliver a loaf that does not measure up.

Flour

While there are many types of flour available, all-purpose unbleached flour produces an excellent loaf of bread.

Water

Nothing special here, straight from the tap works great. The amount of water used makes a difference: too much and your bread will be flatter and stickier, too little yields a dry, hard loaf.

Yeast

Yeast is a microbe that feeds on sugars and produces carbon dioxide. It's the carbon dioxide that causes the bread to rise.

Salt

Table salt or kosher salt can be used. Salt slows down the fermentation process in yeast and adds flavor to the loaf.

Kneading

While not an ingredient, kneading is an important part of the bread-making process. It allows the gluten (protein) to relax and align. The gluten allows the carbon dioxide to form gas pockets in the dough.

Other Ingredients

Many recipes also include sugar and butter. The sugar feeds the yeast and makes the bread rise quicker. Butter can be added for flavor.

Resources

• Learn to Bake Breads