Bread very crunchy!!!

MegandNicsmum

Hi....encouraged by all the success on the forum I have started to make my own bread but the only one that's come out without a brick hard crust is the shop bought version!! When I make it from scratch myself it tastes great inside but the crust is unbelievably hard.....worried my kids will break their teeth!!!

Now, I don't put milk or egg yolk on the dough before it's cooked to give it a glaze...should I do this?!!? Also, the oven is at 180oC...is this too high!?!?!

All help greatfully received...xxx

PS...my home made ice-cream was a big hit with my kids...don't want to let myself down now with my bread!!

valk_scot

You want the crust to be soft? Put it in a loosely tied plastic bag to cool down. The steam will make the crust soft.

BitterAndTwisted

If on the occasions I've given it too long in the oven I wrap the loaf in a clean tea-towel and this softens the crust slightly but not as much as popping it in a plastic bag like Valk suggested

kunekune

That oven temperature is possibly on the low side. I'd use 220 for bread or 200 in a fan oven. Maybe it is going hard because it is taking longer to cook?

MegandNicsmum

WOW, thank you so much...I'll give all your suggestions a go!! Fingers crossed..x

momof2girls

I have found that if i forget i have bread baking and it goes a little hard. Rubbing butter/marg over the outside softens it lovely. Meant to say while its still warm so butter melts into bread.

x-cupcake-x

BitterAndTwisted wrote: »

I wrap the loaf in a clean tea-towel

This is what I do too:T

jexygirl

what recipe are you using?
I can't remember which way around it is, but I think its the more sugar you add, the crustier the outside is according to ma broons cookbook! And too much salt isnt good either as that is what helps activate the yeast I think so it doesnt rise if there is too much.
jex

Soubrette

I use thriftylady's soft roll recipe to make 2 4lb loaves and they turn out lovely and soft

Sou

Lily-Lu

Soubrette wrote: »

I use thriftylady's soft roll recipe to make 2 4lb loaves and they turn out lovely and soft

Blimey a 4lb loaf :eek: what do you bake it in....Or do you just bake it on a baking tray?